DISASTER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TEAMS - PROVIDING HEALTH-CARE TO A COMMUNITY STRUCK BY HURRICANE-INIKI

Study objective: To describe the type of medical care that disaster me dical assistance teams (DMATs) provided to a community struck by a maj or hurricane. Study design: A prospective study describing the use of DMAT field clinics by a population affected by a major hurricane. Data regarding the type of medical care provided to disaster victims and t he acuity of each patient's medical condition were abstracted from med ical charts at each field clinic. Setting: Three DMAT field clinics th at provided medical care to residents of Kauai, Hawaii, after Hurrican e Iniki struck the island on September 11, 1992. Results: From Septemb er 16 to 19, 1992, three DMATs provided medical care to 614 people. Th e patients' average age was 34 years, and 60% were male. The largest t reatment categories were injury (40.4%), illness (38.6%), and preventi ve services (9.0%). Most illnesses and injuries were minor, and 99% of the patients were ambulatory. Only 33 patients (5.4%) were referred t o another medical provider. Referrals were generally for procedures no t available in DMAT field clinics rather than for life-threatening con ditions. Conclusion: DMATs sent to assist with the medical needs of a US community struck by a major hurricane should be prepared to deliver basic medical services and primary health care. The need for these me dical services will continue beyond the impact phase of a hurricane di saster.