Dear AuntMinnie Member,
Late December is traditionally a time to reflect on events of the past 12 months, while the new year offers opportunities for self-improvement by correcting past shortcomings. This week on AuntMinnie.com we're examining both sides of the coin with a pair of articles on the impact of natural disasters and how healthcare facilities can better prepare for them.
In the first piece, contributing writer Sydney Schuster examines Hurricane Katrina from the radiology angle, discussing how radiology professionals mobilized to provide their unique skills to meet the healthcare needs of those affected by the disaster.
Volunteers from the radiology community set up temporary imaging suites at evacuation centers and endured personal hardships themselves in order to help diagnose and treat Katrina victims. Imaging technology even became a crucial tool in helping identify the bodies of those who died in the disaster. Read about how radiology helped by clicking here.
In our second article, frequent contributors Robert Junk and Tobias Gilk at architectural firm Junk Architects describe the precautionary steps taken by some MRI facilities in Katrina's path, and their effectiveness. They also describe basic steps that all hospital and imaging facilities can take to make themselves more prepared in the event of a natural disaster. Find out what they are by clicking here.
