Injury-Related Emergency Department Visits After Hurricane Maria in a Southern Puerto Rico Hospital

In the months after Hurricane Maria, nearly 575 patients were identified as visiting emergency departments due to injury. The authors found that nearly 10% indicated their injuries were hurricane-related (primarily abrasions, lacerations, and cuts, and sprains or strains—primarily reported by males). Females were more likely to report injuries from slips or trips. The authors encourage healthcare staff to use these findings to prepare for future disaster-related injuries.