When Hospitals Fail: Patient Abandonment, Healthcare Staff Protection, And Legal Reform In Environmental Disasters In Louisiana

• In Event: Preparation to Create Resilience

Abstract

Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest natural disasters to affect the Gulf Coast of the United States, exposing critical weaknesses in Louisiana’s disaster preparedness strategies, specifically in regards to healthcare infrastructure and legal protections for patients and medical staff. This paper investigates the failures of hospitals during the hurricane, with a focus on patient abandonment and the controversy surrounding Memorial Medical Center. It assesses ethical and legal frameworks governing medical decision-making in environmental disasters, gaps in communication, resource allocation, and healthcare staff liability. Despite legislative reforms such as the Louisiana Health Emergency Powers Act (LHEPA) and the Louisiana Emergency Response Network (LERN), significant shortcomings are still present in regards to  racial disparities and patient rights. This paper proposes solutions, including the establishment of a satellite-based communication system modeled after California’s OASIS network, an emergency healthcare fund through an oil industry tax, and creating equitable triage by adding amendments to LHEPA. These reforms aim to strengthen Louisiana’s healthcare system and environmental disaster preparedness while balancing the rights and responsibilities of medical professionals and patients.

Author

• Rida Jamal, Boston University
  Presenting Author