AUSTIN, Texas - (Sept. 12, 2008) - The Seton Family of Hospitals is caring for approximately 177 patients displaced by Hurricane Ike, as of 3:30 p.m. today. While all facilities are busy, operations are running smoothly. Our emergency planning and previous experience with hospital re-locations during hurricanes Katrina and Rita have proven invaluable in dealing with the medical evacuations being required by Hurricane Ike.
The patients are being placed at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Seton Medical Center Austin (SMCA), Seton Medical Center Williamson, Seton Edgar B. Davis Hospital in Luling, Seton Northwest Hospital and University Medical Center Brackenridge (UMCB), with the majority at SMCA and UMCB.
Many patients evacuated from University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston were accompanied by UTMB nurses. Seton is outfitting the old Ronald McDonald House near UMC Brackenridge with 20 beds to house more medical volunteers if necessary. Some are also being housed at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital.
Medical Staff handle evacuees that arrive by ambulance. See
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The Children's Health Express, a mobile clinic program of Dell Children's Medical Center, is set to provide services to families with children who are sheltered at the Austin Convention Center and other shelters across the city. The Children's Health Express will help reduce the number of illnesses and injuries that would otherwise come to the Dell Children's Emergency Department. The mobile clinic will be staffed with a pediatrician, clinical assistant, LVN and Nurse Practitioner and is equipped with a pharmacy for necessary pediatric prescriptions.
Dozens of Seton Family of Hospital non-clinical associates have signed up to work behind the scenes to help meet the needs of Hurricane Ike evacuees.
More evacuees are expected to arrive at Seton's EDs after the hurricane. The Seton Family of Hospitals continues to work in order to be prepared to meet the needs of our community as well as evacuees.
Watch some of the media coverage on Hurricane IKE which includes patient transfer to Seton.
Austin American Statesman - Hurricane Ike - Area hospitals getting evacuees