Session: Navigating the Storm: Ensuring Operational Continuity Through Crisis Leadership

Editor's Note

In an expansive session at the 2025 OR Business Management Conference, Tampa General Hospital's emergency management team demonstrated how proactive planning, strong partnerships, and real-time decision-making helped navigate multiple crises in 2024, including back-to-back hurricanes and a cyberattack on the state's blood supply.

The session was presented by Erinn Skiba, Senior Director of Public Safety,  Kate Ulrich, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President Perioperative Services, and Yessenia Salgado, DNP-ENL, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, Senior Director of Clinical Operations for Surgical Services. As they explained, Tampa General is particularly vulnerable during hurricane season because the facility is situated on an island. So, the hospital has invested heavily in mitigation strategies, such as installing an aqua fence to protect against storm surges and elevating critical infrastructure, including generators and oxygen farms.

These measures paid off. During Hurricane Idalia, the aqua fence successfully held back over seven feet of water, presenters said, ensuring uninterrupted operations for nearly 1,000 inpatients and thousands of staff and visitors. The hospital’s emergency power system, which includes multiple generators, natural gas reserves, and on-site fuel storage, allows full operational capacity even in the face of widespread outages.

Presenters also emphasized that hurricane preparedness extends beyond physical infrastructure. Tampa General assigns staff to designated emergency response teams—Team A for immediate response, Team B for recovery, and Team C as an external resource—ensuring adequate personnel coverage during and after crises. The hospital also has established partnerships with local and federal agencies, fuel suppliers, and even private marine transport providers to secure access to resources and transportation when traditional routes are cut off.

Another critical event in 2024 was the cyberattack on OneBlood, which disrupted Florida’s blood supply, posing a significant threat to trauma and surgical operations. Tampa General’s rapid response involved activating its command center, closely monitoring scheduled surgeries, and utilizing data analytics to prioritize blood distribution, presenters said. By working with the FDA and technology firm Palantir, the hospital implemented algorithms to identify patients in urgent need, optimizing the use of available blood products. Despite the disruption, Tampa General avoided surgery cancellations.