HHS declares public health emergency in Texas

Hurricane Harvey forces hospitals to close


The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was forced to close nine locations Monday due to severe flooding from Hurricane Harvey, according to an article on the Fierce Healthcare website.

Several Texas hospitals have had to evacuate patients and operate on backup systems.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tom Price declares a public health emergency in Texas, which will allow the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services to waive certain documentation requirements so hospitals and nursing homes that don’t have access to patient records can care for evacuated patients, the article said.

HHS has helped evacuate 182 patients from three hospitals in Victoria; sent 53,000 pounds of medical equipment and supplies to Texas and Louisiana, activated the AABB blood disaster task force and has more than 500 personnel on the ground.

Read the article.

 

 



August 30, 2017


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

On the Lookout: The Software Supply Chain as a Healthcare Cyberattack Vector

Staying watchful of third-party software vendors and their activities is critical for healthcare cybersecurity.


Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Clifton Opens

The Clifton center expands health care access in Passaic County by reducing barriers such as travel and wait times.


Suffolk Breaks Ground on Expansion of White Plains Hospital

The 10-story, approximately 500,000-square-foot expansion is slated to open in 2028.


EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.