Healthcare and Social Organizations' Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Experience: Lessons Learned From Hurricanes Irma and Maria

Background: Healthcare and social organizations (HSOs) are first respondents after natural disasters. Hence, their preparedness and resilience are critical components for addressing future disasters. However, little is known about HSOs' experiences prior to, during, and after hurricanes.

Objective: To describe preparedness, response, and recovery experiences from hurricanes Irma/ Maria among HSOs in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Methods: Using a convenience sample, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 key-informants. Content analysis for common and recurring themes and patterns was performed by HSO type.

Results: Most HSOs (80.8%) had a preparedness plan and 55.8% responded providing emergency supplies. HSOs' human resources (61.2%) was the main recovery facilitator/ enabler, while 36.5% identified the lack of economic resources and the lack of an integrated emergency plan as the top barriers. The main lesson learned include understanding the need to make improvements to their emergency preparedness plans (56.3%), and to establish an integrated/ centralized plan between relevant parties.

Conclusion: Lessons learned after hurricanes allowed HSOs to identify gaps and opportunities to become more resilient. Infrastructure capacity, human resources, communication systems, and economic support, as well as training, partnerships, and new policies should be defined, revised, and/ or integrated into the HSOs' preparedness plans to mitigate the impact of future disasters.