When disaster strikes, it can have a profound impact on a state’s healthcare facilities and services. This was certainly the case in Tennessee in the wake of the devastating tornadoes that struck the state in early 2020.
In the immediate aftermath of the storms, hospitals and other healthcare facilities were left scrambling to provide care for the injured and displaced. Many facilities sustained damage themselves, and power outages were widespread.
In the months that followed, the state’s healthcare system continued to feel the effects of the disaster. The tornadoes caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage to Tennessee’s healthcare infrastructure, and the state is still working to recover.
The impact of the disaster has been felt most keenly by those who were already struggling to access quality healthcare. The state’s rural residents, for example, have been left with even fewer options for care.
The disaster has also highlighted the need for improved coordination between state and federal agencies in the event of a future crisis. The Tennessee Department of Health has been working to strengthen its emergency preparedness plans, and hopefully, future disasters will not have such a devastating impact on the state’s healthcare system.
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2020/03/05/nashville-tornado-health-care-hospitals-vanderbilt-st-thomas/4951603002/
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/03/05/tennessees-health-care-system-braces-impact-tornadoes/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/tennessee-tornadoes-health-care/2020/03/06/3a9032b4-5f84-11ea-a156-1a2a1af74c9f_story.html