WARRENDALE, Pa., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Pennsylvania hospitals are joining hospitals across Pennsylvania and throughout the country in preparing to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"Hospital Council of Western Pennsylania is working hand-in-hand with hospitals across the state to offer assistance how and when we can," said Alvin J. Harper, president of Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to create 40, 250-bed federal emergency shelters earlier this week. The purpose of the shelters will be to stabilize and provide basic medical care to hospital and nursing home patients evacuated from areas hit by the hurricane.
In a conference call with hospitals and hospital associations across the country, Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt personally asked for hospitals to consider providing teams of health professionals to help staff these shelters. Each shelter will require 100 health professionals and professionals will be asked to commit at least two weeks of time.
"While the American Hospital Association is coordinating national relief efforts with federal agencies, the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is coordinating Pennsylvania hospital relief efforts," Harper said.
While hospitals and support agencies initiate a large scale response, the hospital community is encouraging individuals to help by donating blood.
"Blood donations will become important as hospital patients in the affected hurricane areas are evacuated and sent to other hospitals throughout the country," Harper said. "Those hospitals receiving patients may not have sufficient blood supply to support the incoming patients who require surgery or transfusion."
Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania is a regional membership association which provides support to healthcare providers throughout the region. Hospital Council provides data, information, advocacy, education and consultative support to hospitals, specialty care facilities, nursing homes and other providers throughout western Pennsylvania.
Hospital Council of Western PennsylvaniaCONTACT: Patricia J. Raffaele of Hospital Council of Western Pennsylvania,+1-724-772-7202, or raffaelp@hcwp.org
