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Mobilizing Mobile Medical Units for Hurricane Relief: The United States Public Health Service and Broward County Health Department Reponses to Hurricane Wilma, Broward County, Florida.
J Public Health Management Practice 2007; 13(5):448-453.
Taylor MM, Stokes WS, Bajuscak R, Serdula M, Siegel KL,
Griffin B, Keiser J, Agate L, Kite-Powell A, Roach D, Humbert N, Brusuelas
K, Shekar SS.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of a collaborative response of federal,
state, county, and local agencies in conducting syndromic surveillance and
delivering medical care to persons affected by the storm through the use of
mobile medical units. METHODS: Nine mobile medical vans were staffed with
medical personnel to deliver care in communities affected by the storm. Individual
patient encounter information was collected. RESULTS: A total of 14,033 housing
units were approached and checked for occupants. Of residents with whom contact
was made, approximately 10 percent required medical assessment in their homes;
3,218 clients were medically evaluated on the mobile medical vans. Sixty-two
percent of clients were female. The most common presenting complaints included
normal health maintenance (59%), upper respiratory tract illness (10%), and
other illness (10%). Injuries occurred in 9 percent. A total of 1,531 doses
of medications were dispensed from the mobile medical units during the response.
CONCLUSION: Mobile medical units provided an efficient means to conduct syndromic
surveillance and to reach populations in need of medical care who were unable
to access fixed local medical facilities.