NEWVoices of Angels: Disaster Lessons from Katrina Nurses

New Orleans nurses speak out about the storm.

When thousands fled in the face of Hurricane Katrina, nurses stayed at their posts in New Orleans hospitals to care for their patients. Facing unimaginable conditions, these professionals went without supplies, sleep, communications, and air conditioning as they overcame obstacles to save lives. The nurses interviewed come from healthcare organizations including Charity Hospital, Tulane Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center, and the Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge. They paint a stark picture of systemic failures with catastrophic effects. The authors, experts in nursing and disaster response, offer analysis and recommendations for healthcare institutions nationwide.