How Tampa General Hospital prepared for Hurricane Helene

Editor's Note

Applying lessons learned from Hurricane Ian in 2022 helped Tampa General Hospital (TGH) successfully withstand Hurricane Helene in late September, according to an October 3 HealthLeaders interview with TGH CEO John Couris.

Detailing how strategic preparations ensured the safety of its patients, staff, and critical infrastructure, including its Level 1 trauma center, Couris identified the following strategies as critical to emergency preparedness:

• Early preparation: TGH began preparing a week before the hurricane hit, stockpiling medical supplies, water, and setting up flood barriers, including AquaFences to mitigate storm surges. 
• Emergency command center activation: The hospital activated its command center three days prior to the storm, utilizing AI and predictive analytics to guide decision-making. Couris emphasized the importance of leadership being on-site to respond in real-time. “We have a dedicated emergency management team that takes over, with leadership staying on-site to make real-time decisions,” he told HealthLeaders.
• Routine disaster drills: Regular drills, including mass casualty simulations, ensured the hospital was prepared. Couris stressed that practicing disaster response year-round was crucial for effective execution during emergencies.
• Water supply planning: TGH has focused on developing emergency water supply plans since shortages led to patient transfers in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
• Staff accommodations: With thousands of staff on-site, providing adequate sleeping arrangements posed a challenge. TGH continues to refine plans to accommodate large numbers of employees during extended emergencies.
• Collaboration for patient transfers: TGH helped transfer patients from neighboring hospitals during Ian, and Couris highlighted the importance of establishing mutual aid agreements for future emergencies.
• Continuous improvement: Hospitals should continually review and improve their disaster plans, making emergency readiness an integral part of hospital operations.

 The full report offers additional information and context on each of these strategies.