The state’s largest healthcare system, Ochsner Health says they don’t plan on having to transfer any patients out of their hospitals ahead of Hurricane Ida. CEO Warner Thomas says they are prepared with water, fuel, and generators.
“We have enough backup power to run our facilities in a very comprehensive fashion, so we do not anticipate having to transfer patients out of the market at this time,” said Thomas.
However, Thomas says Ochsner’s ability to accept a large influx of patients from other facilities, like smaller hospitals and nursing homes, that could be faced with evacuations during the hurricane, could be extremely difficult due to COVID stretching resources.
“Not saying we wouldn’t take any patients, but our ability to take a big influx would be very challenging,” said Thomas.
In addition to having generators for anticipated power outages during the hurricane Thomas says Ochsner is also prepared should local water systems be impacted.
“We do have wells drilled at multiple facilities, so we basically can run in a self-sufficient fashion off of city water,” said Thomas.
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