A Simple Plan to Ensure Medical Staffing During Hurricane Idalia and Any Future Hurricane.

This article discusses the importance of incorporating lessons from Military Medicine into civilian disaster response planning, particularly in the context of hurricanes. The authors highlight the experiences of military physicians in dealing with mass casualty events, public health threats, and working in challenging environments, which can be valuable in preparing for natural disasters. The article emphasizes the various threats to human life during hurricanes, including injuries from powerful winds, storm surge drownings, and deferred medical care due to mobility issues or isolation. It also outlines a specific response plan implemented by the Department of Anesthesiology for the hurricane season, which involved dividing staff into two teams and ensuring uninterrupted perioperative services. The authors share their experience of successfully implementing this plan during Hurricane Idalia, with Team A converging on the hospital before the storm and Team B relieving them once it was safe to travel. The article concludes by acknowledging the contributions of military-experienced physicians and expressing a sense of accomplishment for the seamless response to the hurricane. [Extracted from the article]