By By Dan Hounsell

As the temperatures rise across the South — particularly Texas — healthcare facilities in the region are taking stock of their performance when losses of power and water hampered operations and forced them to implement emergency measures to protect patients and staff.

Hospitals in the region faced three key challenges: accessing water for HVAC systems, sourcing oxygen, and getting supplies transported, according to the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. In response, hospitals hard-hit by power outages and water-supply issues tried to move their most vulnerable patients to other locations and taking steps to conserve resources, according to Advisory Board.

For example, St. David's South Austin Medical Center, which ran out of water and lost heat, forcing the hospital to ask staff to use trash bags to clean toilets, tried to find transportation to move vulnerable patients to other facilities, bring water trucks to the facility, and secure portable toilets. In addition, the hospital, which has canceled all non-emergent procedures, discharged some patients early.

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