Alternate Site Surge Capacity in Times of Public Health Disaster Maintains Trauma Center and Emergency Department Integrity: Hurricane Katrina

This study examines how an off-site medical facility helped manage a surge of patients after Hurricane Katrina without overwhelming hospitals. A temporary clinic at the Dallas Convention Center handled over 10,000 urgent visits, with very few patients needing transfer to hospitals. As shown by stable emergency department volumes (page 3), local hospitals were not overloaded despite the large influx. The site provided triage, treatment, and basic care, allowing hospitals to focus on critical cases. Key lessons include the need for strong coordination, staffing, supplies, and pre-planning. Overall, alternate care sites can safely expand capacity and protect hospital operations during disasters.