Strained by Katrina, a Hospital Faced Deadly Choices by Sheri Fink was published in the New York Times Magazine recently. This is the story of an emergency doctor and the nurses assisting her who were arrested after allegedly euthenasing some gravely ill patients when their hospital was completely stranded by Hurricane Katrina. The doctor, Anna Pou, has since helped write and pass three laws in Louisiana that offer immunity to health care professionals from most civil lawsuits — though not in cases of willful misconduct — for their work in future disasters, from hurricanes to terrorist attacks to pandemic influenza. In this article, Fink uncovers new evidence which suggests that 17 patients were killed by Pou and that she still has many questions to answer.
A fascinating read for anyone interested in emergency preparedness, altered states of care and medical immunity.
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