Failure of Memorial Hospital
The New York Times Magazine article describes in detail how a for-profit hospital chain dealt with its patients during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrinia. The allocation of health care during a crisis that may have resulted in the death of individuals. What everyone should learn from these past mistakes is a protocol must be in place showing that a hospital evacuate safely regardless of their medical condition people in its care. If not then the hospital should not be able to function in providing care until such time. The safety of an individual is not to say that the same level of care can be performed but that the individual can be transported to another location in a responsible amount of time to minimize the risk to their health. Memorial Hospital clearly did not send an adequate distress call that people were dieing and clearly government was not prepared to respond.
A health care system must not tie individuals to anyone system of care because even in diasters it is hard to see which entity will exceed and which will fail to achieve success in the care its provides. The Memorial Hospital failure shows how even when resources were available an inadequate response can result in death.
Health care reform will makes it easier for the market place to punish those whom provide a level of care that the price is more afforadble somewhere else. The highest quality at the best price only works when the customer is informed of results and can conduct comparative pricing. Health care is considered a big ticket item and in most cases reviewed by the customer.
The is a good opportunity under a cooperative health care cooperation for many health care professionals and entities to join together and yet be stand alone organizations.
Nonprofits over the next few months should join the conversation and see how they can participate and improve health care for their organization and community.
