Hurricane Milton challenges home-based care's adaptability
Hurricane Milton challenges home-based care's adaptability
Modern Healthcare; by Diane Eastabrook; 10/9/24
[Note, posted just prior to landfall, Wed. Oct. 9.] Hurricane Milton is set to test the resilience of home-based care providers along the west coast of Florida. While hundreds of healthcare sites reported evacuations ahead of the hurricane, some companies that provide care to patients where they live, including CenterWell and Medically Home, continued to send staff into patients’ homes in the hours before the storm hit. Many home-based care companies are ready to activate contingency plans to keep providing care to patients during and after the hurricane. ... Here is how some home-based care providers prepared for Hurricane Milton. ...
- CenterWell Home Health, Bayada, Empath Health, and Vitas Healthcare said they made sure patients had enough medication, oxygen, water and other supplies to stay safe during and after the storm, according to company spokespeople.
- A spokesperson for Empath Health, which has 1,500 home health patients across the state, said the company provided those expected to be affected by the hurricane with two weeks of supplies.
- Disruptions in power that could affect the operation of remote patient monitoring, medical devices and telehealth communication are a major concern, said Dr. Joseph Shega, chief medical officer and executive vice president of Vitas Healthcare. He said the home health company was working with first responders and utilities to maintain connectivity and keep patients safe.
- A CenterWell spokesperson said it was stocking portable hotspot devices for internet access and portable generators at its Florida offices in the storm zone to help patients and staff who may lose power.
- The National Alliance for Care at Home has $5,000 grants available to home health companies and $1,000 grants available to individual caregivers affected by the hurricane, said alliance president Dr. Steven Landers. He said home health companies can use the funding to replace damaged equipment or make office repairs. ...