Inside and somewhat outside Charity

Abstract

On August 29, 2005, a hurricane named Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Many feared the consequences of such a storm, but very few believed that it could ever happen. This article is a narrative written shortly after the evacuation of patients and personnel from the flooded Charity Hospital. The days at Charity hospital were hot and humid following Katrina, and as time passed the air was permeated by a stench that was inescapable. Rendering care to patients without electricity, and thus light and air conditioning, with a temperature in the 90's and no running water was a challenge. Trying to cool patients with central fever and providing adequate ventilation for unconscious patients was extremely difficult. Without elevators, climbs up to and down from the 14th floor-where the author and his colleagues had their sleeping rooms-and the 12th (surgical intensive care unit [ICU]), seventh (neuro ICU and step-down units), and sixth (medical ICU) floors were tedious. The descent to check the emergency department and obtain a closer look at flooding in the streets around the hospital, which maintained a 4- to 5-foot water level, became prohibitive because of the contemplation of the necessary return ascent. There were 21 patients, mostly neurosurgical, in the neuro ICU and step-down units and wards. This is their story.