Improving Hurricane Preparedness Among Galveston County Older Adults: Description of a Successful Community-Based Quality Improvement Model

TL;DR

A community-based education program improved hurricane preparedness among homebound seniors in Galveston County.

Contribution

A nurse-led quality improvement model significantly increased evacuation planning and emergency readiness among older adults.

Findings

43% more patients had an evacuation plan after the intervention.

STEAR registration increased by 633% following the program.

34% more patients had an updated emergency contact list with medications.

Abstract

Older adults are at high risk of experiencing injury, exacerbations of their chronic conditions, and death when evacuations are ordered because of hurricanes or natural disasters. The Homebound seniors residing in Galveston County are at a particularly high risk of morbidity and mortality during evacuations for hurricanes. This paper described the impact of a quality improvement intervention designed and implemented by nurse practitioners during the 2022 and 2023 hurricane season. The education program aimed at increasing the hurricane preparedness of the home-bound patients. Of these patients, 190 returned pre and post surveys. Interventions showed a 43% increase in patients having an evacuation plan in the event of a hurricane, 633% increase in STEAR registration, 16% increase in patients having access to emergency supplies, and 34% increase in patients having an emergency contact list with up-to-date medication list. All improvements on hurricane preparedness items were significant (p < .0001) except for the need for assistance in case of an evacuation. Our findings suggest a need for continuous hurricane preparedness education in the community to ensure safe evacuation, improve hurricane preparation, and increase the number of seniors who registered with the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry.

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