8/30/17  – Many hospitals and health systems in Texas and Louisiana continue to experience incredibly challenging and dangerous conditions caused by now Tropical Storm Harvey. The AHA remains in close contact with our colleagues in Texas and Louisiana, as well as federal agencies, to provide support in response to this ongoing disaster. See below for opportunities to help, as well as post-hurricane health resources.

THA Hospital Employee Assistance Fund
In a Special Message yesterday, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack highlighted the Texas Hospital Association Hospital Employee Assistance Fund to help hospital employees who experienced significant property loss or damage because of Hurricane Harvey. All funds will be used to directly assist hospital employees in Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated disaster areas; administrative services are being provided in kind so that 100 percent of donated funds will be used to assist hospital employees. AHA has contributed an initial $50,000 to get the fund started. For more information or to make a donation, visit https://www.tha.org/Harvey/ReliefFund.

Volunteering and Donations for Disaster Areas
FEMA is asking individuals and organizations interested in volunteering or donating supplies to register through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster or Texas VOAD using this webpage. Hospital employees, doctors and other health care professionals who are interested in volunteering also should register through the VOAD so officials can determine the best use of resources.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily suspended all necessary statutes and rules to allow health care providers employed by a hospital and licensed and in good standing in another state to practice in Texas in order to assist with the Harvey disaster response operations. Hospitals must submit to the applicable licensing entity each out-of-state provider’s name, provider type, state of license and license identification number. See specific instructions for hospital-affiliated providers and non-hospital affiliated physicians and providers on this webpage. For nurses, see the licensing procedures on the Texas Board of Nursing webpage. FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services request that health care providers not self-deploy to impacted areas.

Post-Hurricane Health Resources
HHS, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a number of resources for health care organizations and providers. They include:
 HHS – Hurricane Harvey Webpage
 CDC – Flood Water After a Disaster: Cleanup and Health Risks
 CDC – After a Hurricane: Key Facts about Infectious Disease
 CDC – Mosquitoes and Hurricanes (with info on Zika and West Nile risks)
 ASPR – Tips for Retaining and Caring for Staff After a Disaster