Resources for Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters
The 2024 hurricane season has been profoundly damaging and difficult. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, AAMI has collated new and existing disaster response resources that individuals and health departments can use to manage disruptions and protect their patients.
These resources are primarily for individuals involved with sterile processing and healthcare technology management (HTM). They include department guides, peer-reviewed journal articles in Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology (BI&T), and video resources from healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and sterilization scientists. We hope they are useful as your hospital or organization faces this difficult time.
AAMI Resources
BI&T
- Detection of Superheated Steam during Sterilization Using Biological Indicators: https://array.aami.org/doi/10.2345/0899-8205-57.4.106
- Sterilization-Related Challenges of Off-Site Transportation of Medical Equipment: https://array.aami.org/doi/10.2345/0899-8205-57.s1.11
- Sterilization Central: Water Quality in Medical Device Processing: The Power of Prevention: https://array.aami.org/doi/10.2345/0899-8205-54.4.304
- If Not Water Quality, What? Problem-Solving, Step By Step: https://array.aami.org/doi/10.2345/0899-8205%282008%2942%5B388%3AINWQWP%5D2.0.CO%3B2
AAMI News
- Updated Steam Sterilization Standard for Healthcare Facilities, ST79, Now Available: https://array.aami.org/content/press-release/updated-steam-sterilization-standard-healthcare-facilities-st79-now-available
- Terra Kremer, co-chair of AAMI’s AAMI Water Quality for Medical Device Processing Working Group, discusses how AAMI’s ST108 standard can help your sterile process department. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjpe2iXmvdE&t=234s
- AAMI Publishes First National Standard on Water Quality for Medical Device Processing: https://array.aami.org/content/news/aami-publishes-first-national-standard-water-quality-medical-device-processing
AAMI standards
- Updated Steam Sterilization Standard for Healthcare Facilities, ST79, Now Available: https://array.aami.org/content/press-release/updated-steam-sterilization-standard-healthcare-facilities-st79-now-available
Other Resources
- Emergency Preparedness Assessment for HTM Department: https://array.aami.org/doi/epdf/10.2345/9781570208201.ch1
External Resources
- HSPA Statement for Sterile Processing Professionals Regarding Hurricane-Related Supply Shortages https://myhspa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HSPA-News-Alert.pdf
- APIC Infection Prevention Tips for Flood and Hurricane Season https://www.apic.org/Resource_/TinyMceFileManager/Practice_Guidance/Emergency_Preparedness/Flood_and_hurricane_infection_prevention_tips.pdf
- APIC general hurricane/disaster resource page https://apic.org/hurricane-and-disaster-resources-8-31-21/
- USA.gov re: Hurricane Helene https://www.usa.gov/hurricane-helene
- HHS statement on supply shortages https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2024/10/09/letter-health-care-leaders-stakeholdersimpacts-hurricane-helene-secretary-becerra.html
- FDA information re: supply shortages https://www.fda.gov/drugs/updates-2024-hurricane-season/hurricane-helene-baxtersmanufacturing-recovery-north-carolina
- Baxter news https://www.baxter.com/baxter-newsroom/hurricane-helene-updates
- American Hospital Association update https://www.aha.org/updates-iv-fluid-supplies-after-helene-forces-closure-baxtermanufacturing-plant
- AORN news re: strike and Hurricane Helene aftermath https://www.aorn.org/outpatient-surgery/article/guidance-on-ongoing-port-strike--hurricane-helene-aftermath
- ECRI report to help HDOs navigate the supply shortage https://home.ecri.org/blogs/ecri-news/patient-safety-nonprofit-releases-guidance-for-navigating-medical-supply-chain-disruptions-caused-by-hurricane-helene)
Questions?
Reach out to the AAMI Media Team at dvisnovsky@aami.org