When disaster strikes, it can have a profound impact on a state’s healthcare facilities and services. This was certainly the case in Tennessee, where a series of tornadoes in early 2020 caused significant damage to several hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The tornadoes not only caused physical damage to these facilities, but also disrupted critical services and displaced patients and staff.
In the wake of the disaster, the Tennessee Department of Health quickly mobilized to assess the damage and needs of the state’s healthcare system. They found that 10 hospitals had sustained damage, with two of them sustaining significant damage. In addition, numerous clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities were also impacted. The tornadoes caused power outages at many of these facilities, which disrupted critical services like surgeries, dialysis, and even basic patient care.
The Department of Health has worked tirelessly to help these facilities recover and get back to serving their communities. They have provided generators and other resources to help with the power outages, and are working with the federal government to provide financial assistance for the repairs. The state’s healthcare system has faced a significant challenge, but with the help of the Department of Health and other partners, they are slowly but surely getting back on their feet.