Deployable, portable, and temporary hospitals; one state's experiences through the years

Am J Disaster Med. 2014 Summer;9(3):195-210. doi: 10.5055/ajdm.2014.0171.

Abstract

This article will review the use of temporary hospitals to augment the healthcare system as one solution for dealing with a surge of patients related to war, pandemic disease outbreaks, or natural disaster. The experiences highlighted in this article are those of North Carolina (NC) over the past 150 years, with a special focus on the need following the September 11, 2001 (9/11) attacks. It will also discuss the development of a temporary hospital system from concept to deployment, highlight recent developments, emphasize the need to learn from past experiences, and offer potential solutions for assuring program sustainability. Historically, when a particular situation called for a temporary hospital, one was created, but it was usually specific for the event and then dismantled. As with the case with many historical events, the details of the 9/11 attacks will fade into memory, and there is a concern that the impetus which created the current temporary hospital program may fade, as well. By developing a broader and more comprehensive approach to disaster responses through all-hazards preparedness, it is reasonable to learn from these past experiences, improve the understanding of current threats, and develop a long-term strategy to sustain these resources for future disaster medical needs.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Civil Defense / history*
  • Emergency Medical Services / history*
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Hospitals, Military / history*
  • Humans
  • Mass Casualty Incidents / history*
  • Mobile Health Units / history*
  • North Carolina