Evacuation of Intensive Care Units during Disaster Learning From the Hurricane Sandy Experience

The authors of this study surveyed nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians who played direct roles during the Hurricane Sandy intensive care unit (ICU) evacuations to learn about their experience and lessons learned related to preparedness efforts. Results indicated that ICU providers who evacuated critically ill patients during Hurricane Sandy had little prior knowledge of evacuation processes or vertical evacuation experience. The weakest aspects in the patient evacuation process were communication and the availability of practical tools.