1. Doctor’s Role in Natural Disasters What IS the doctor’s responsibility?

2. DO Now  Read the hand out and on a sheet of loose leaf answer these questions: 1.

3. A Few Terms you should know  D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) - This states that CPR is not to be initiated if breathing stops or the heart stops beating. Expectations can vary state by state.  Triage – process of sorting victims/patients of a disaster, in order to increase the number of survivors.  Ambulatory – A patient who is able to move on their own without assistance.  Levees – a type of dam that runs along canals and rivers, to prevent flooding during storms.

4. What you need to know to understand this tragedy In order to make an educated decision about this ethical dilemma you MUST know the situation those involved were faced with.  Questions we will be answering:  What is the role of a physician during a natural disaster/emergency situation?  Should we hold doctor’s accountable for their choices or should those in charge of relief efforts be held accountable?  Should we allow exceptions for behavior during times of crisis? Should we apply “triage” practices to save lives? Even if it means choosing to let some die?

5. The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina  Monday, August 29, 2005 – Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans  8 a.m. Water starts flowing over the levees of New Orleans.  By 9 a.m. 6-8 feet of water covers the Lower 9 th Ward  The hurricane itself ended late in the day on Monday.

6. The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina  Tuesday, August 30, 2005  Multiple levee breaches are causing continued flooding in the lower wards of New Orleans.  Efforts to fix a number of breaches failed and water’s continued to rise  About 80% of the city is underwater, and the first survivors are rescued.  People start to raid shops for food and water

7. The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina  Wednesday, August 31, 2005  Evacuation efforts are uncoordinated with communication between the local government, the federal government and those who are stranded  About 25,000 people are now in the Superdome, with little food and water. Conditions are getting worse.  Looting of shops continues, and shootings are reported

8. The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina  Thursday, September 1, 2012  New Orleans is in chaos. Crime, including shooting and theft, is widespread. Shots are fired at a helicopter trying to rescue people from the Superdome.  The Government is accused of not acting fast enough to help the survivors.  The evacuation of the Superdome slowly gets going.

9. The Tragedy of Hurricane Katrina  Friday, September 2, 2012  Relief is increased, as convoys of food, water and medicine arrive in the city, and thousands of troops and police are sent in to keep the peace.  An explosion rips thorough a chemical store on the banks of the Mississippi.  Tens of thousands of people are still stranded.

10. As it Happened  http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/hurrican e-katrina-path-of-destruction-11478694 http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/hurrican e-katrina-path-of-destruction-11478694

11. What happened in the hospitals.  http://www.democracynow.org/2009/8/31/the _deadly_choices_at_memorial_investigation http://www.democracynow.org/2009/8/31/the _deadly_choices_at_memorial_investigation

12. Dr. Pou speaks in her own defense  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=204 0496n http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=204 0496n