Nanticoke ED Post Hurricane Sandy
Dr. Fred Bauer, Medical Director at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital in Seaford, Delaware, provided the following update since Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast a few weeks ago.
Compared to our neighbors about 100 miles to the north, we faired very well. We experienced high winds, a brief loss of power that the generators picked up, and lots of rain. The ED renovation from six years ago revealed a design flaw in the roofing where we extended out beyond the main tower. For about 18 hours we had a “water feature” draining down through a 10ft x 20ft piece of plastic with a two inch drain hole catching all of the drips pouring into 55 gal trash cans on wheels. We filled a can about every 35 to 40 minutes all day and through most of the night. The real heroes were the maintenance folks who were keeping us dry while dealing with overhead leaks popping up like the Titanic, and using shop vacuums to get the water leaking down behind the walls. At the peak we lost the uses of seven of our 24 examine rooms. Now over two weeks out, we have all but three examine rooms repaired as drywall and cabinets had to be replaced. Meanwhile four stroke codes, two intubations, and sixteen admits all during the peak part of the storm in addition to the few obligatory emergency Percocet refills that arrived by ambulance.
The entire hospital pulled together to keep things going. Admitted patients interviewed after the fact could not tell we had major equipment issues and had to fall back on plans B and C a few times. Having a plan was key in knowing what you would do; if scheduled to work, how you will get your family, including pets, homes, and boats ready; or will your family evacuate or have to come to the hospital. Yes, we had plans for what to bring in case you are stuck here for three to five days. We had plans to relieve people the days coming up to 'D-day' if the schedule did not give them time to take care of things at home. We had plans for people to get relief or back up if things really got bad. The hospital had plans including storing cots for personnel to sleep on as well as extra food for food services shipped three to four days in advance.
Like everything else in emergency medicine, it was a team effort. Those who needed to step up did so without a second thought. I am glad I do not have to commute to work on my 16-foot Catalina Skiff. Super storm Sandy coming ashore 100 miles south would have made that impossible.
