Journal article
Lessons Learned From Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico: Practical Measures to Mitigate the Impact of a Catastrophic Natural Disaster on Radiation Oncology Patients
Practical radiation oncology, v 9(5), pp 305-321
Sep 2019
PMID: 30999000
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Although the wind, rain, and flooding of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico abated shortly after its landfall on September 20, 2017, the disruption of the electrical, communications, transportation, and medical infrastructure of the island was unprecedented in scope and caused lasting harm for many months afterward. A compilation of recommendations from radiation oncologists who were in Puerto Rico during the disaster, and from a panel of American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) cancer experts was created.
Radiation oncologists throughout Puerto Rico collaborated and improvised to continue treating patients in the immediate aftermath of the storm and as routine clinical operations were restored gradually. Empirical lessons from the experience of radiation therapy administration in this profoundly altered context of limited resources, impaired communication, and inadequate transportation were organized into a recommended template, applicable to any radiation oncology practice. ASTRO disease-site experts provided evidence-guidelines for mitigating the impact of a 2- to 3-week interruption in radiation therapy.
Practical measures to mitigate the medical impact of a disaster are summarized within the framework of "Prepare, Communicate, Operate, Compensate." Specific measures include the development of an emergency operations plan tailored to specific circumstances, prospective coordination with other radiation oncology clinics before a disaster, ongoing communications with emergency management organizations, and routine practice of alternate methods to disseminate information among providers and patients.
These recommendations serve as a starting point to assist any radiation oncology practice in becoming more resiliently prepared for a local or regional disruption from any cause. Disease-site experts provide evidence-based guidelines on how to mitigate the impact of a 2- to 3-week interruption in radiation therapy for lung, head and neck, uterine cervix, breast, and prostate cancers through altered fractionation or dose escalation.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Lessons Learned From Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico: Practical Measures to Mitigate the Impact of a Catastrophic Natural Disaster on Radiation Oncology Patients
- Creators
- Hiram A Gay - Washington University in St. LouisRoberto Santiago - PreciseBetty Gil - Radiation Therapy and Cancer Institute, San Juan, Puerto RicoCarlos Remedios - Instituto de Radioterapia del Este, Humacao, Puerto RicoPedro J Montes - Northern Radiotherapy Cancer Center, Arecibo, Puerto RicoJavier López-Araujo - PreciseCarlos M Chévere - University of Puerto Rico SystemWinston S Imbert - Tomé and Ubiñas Radio Oncology Center, San Juan, Puerto RicoJulia White - The Ohio State UniversityDouglas W Arthur - Virginia Commonwealth UniversityJanet K Horton - Duke Medical CenterReshma Jagsi - University of Michigan–Ann ArborRachel Rabinovich - Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, ColoradoSushil Beriwal - UPMC Hillman Cancer CenterAkila Viswanathan - Johns Hopkins Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Baltimore, MarylandBeth A Erickson - Medical College of WisconsinRamesh Rengan - University of WashingtonDavid Palma - London Regional Cancer Program, London, Ontario, CanadaBilly W Loo, Jr - Stanford University School of MedicineJames A Kavanaugh - Washington University in St. LouisJeff Bradley - Washington University in St. LouisSue S Yom - University of California, San FranciscoPaul M Harari - University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer CenterOmer Lee Burnett, 3rd - University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Publication Details
- Practical radiation oncology, v 9(5), pp 305-321
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology (and Nuclear Medicine)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000483978300015
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85065773145
- Other Identifier
- 991021897367104721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Oncology
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging