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Hard-Hit Louisiana Clinics Seek Flood Relief

Analysis  |  By John Commins  
   August 24, 2016

The Louisiana Rural Health Association is asking for donations of money and healthcare supplies on behalf of rural clinics that were wiped out in this month's rain-fueled disaster.

Recovery efforts are underway for wide swaths of southern Louisiana, which last week endured epic flooding after historic rains that accumulated as much as 30 inches in two days in some areas.

At least three federally qualified rural healthcare facilities were rendered inoperable in the flooding that devastated much of southern Louisiana last week, and providers there are asking for help with the recovery.

Stacy Fontenot, executive director of the Louisiana Rural Health Association, says a crowdfunding site has been set up to raise money for RKM Primary Care, in Springfield, Total Family Care in Robert, and Malinda's Patient Care in Albany.

"In most rural communities, these providers are the only option for residents to see a primary care provider," Fontenot says. "We're encouraging everyone to consider making a donation to the #OneRural fundraising campaign to help Louisiana's rural providers and/or donating supplies." 


Louisiana Hospital Workers Struggle with Flood Recovery


Peggy Gautreaux, owner of Total Family Medical, told local media that her facility lost everything in the flood. "We walked out with a box of Band-Aids and 10 alcohol wipes," she told WLOX-TV. "You've lost your business, but where are your patients? And what do they need? And what's going to happen to them?"  

The disaster hit areas of southern Louisiana that under normal circumstances are not affected by flooding. As a result, the clinics and many other businesses and homes in the area, were not carrying flood insurance. There's no telling when they'll reopen.

"Once they're flooded, you have to gut the building, take out all the sheet rock just in case they can save the building and rebuild. If not the mold takes over immediately," Fontenot says. "They were seeing patients in the parking lot who needed services until they could move into another site. They are putting their patients first over trying to get the clinic set up, but they still need supplies."

Specifically, Fontenot says, the clinics need:

  1. 8, 23, 25 gauge needles
  2. Gloves
  3. 2x2 and 4x4 gauze
  4. Alcohol swaps
  5. Laceration kits
  6. 4.0 silk suture
  7. 3 cc syringes
  8. Sterile urine cups
  9. Band-Aids

Donors of supplies are asked to coordinate their efforts through Fontenot.

"Some of the suppliers can't get to the area, but some of us who are closer can get there through using the backroads," Fontenot says, "so, we are asking for any supplies or donations to come to LRHA and we will be able to deliver them."

On other fronts, Fontenot says disaster coordination between providers and the state and federal agencies has greatly improved since the Hurricane Katrina fiasco.

"There were definitely lessons learned," she says.

"We have been working hand-in-hand with the Department of Health and the Office of Rural Health as far as having a contingency plan, having health standards, and being a direct contact for those clinics that have lost everything."

"Typically, when you reset a clinic you have to go through so many certifications and requirements. But we learned from Katrina that patients need services, so the state is working with [providers] to allow the clinics to be set up in temporary locations."

John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.

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