BMT Centers in South Florida
Take Wilma in Stride
BMT centers in South Florida last week felt the punch of Hurricane Wilma, but remained on their feet – unlike New Orleans where Kartrina knocked them down for the count or in Houston where Rita delivered only a glancing blow.
Dr. Hugo Fernandez of the University of Miami Hematology and Oncology Center reported that all is well. “As of today (Thursday) the transplant unit is still running. We remained operational throughout the hurricane and did not relocate any patients. We currently have no allogeneic transplants planned this week and do not see a need to cancel future procedures."
He said the outpatient clinics were closed but were expected to reopen on Friday. “Patients requiring emergency care have been directed to go to their local emergency room,” he said.
Dr. Paul Gordon of the pediatric unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami said that there was no structural damage to the facility. Transplants were rescheduled so that there would be no active inpatients the week of Wilma.
Stem cells for two transplant patients were delivered prior to Oct. 21. Dr. Gordon said that the unit was expected to reopen Monday, Oct 31.
A spokesperson in the office of Dr. John Ford, director of the BMT program at Miami Children’s Hospital, said that they remained open throughout the storm and nothing serious happened. No patients were relocated, and there were no logistical problems in receiving stem cell products.
In Tampa where Wilma brought winds of tropical storm force, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center remained open. “We had no obvious damaged,” said Dr. Claudio Anasetti, director of the bone marrow transplant service.
The center’s emergency plan was in place, and the nursing and medical staffs were on call to stay in the hospital if the path of the hurricane turned toward Tampa. “There were no staffing or logistical problems,” Dr. Anasetti said.
In Ft. Myers, Dr. Lowell Hart reported that the BMT program at Florida Cancer Specialists was closed on Monday and Tuesday, but there were no patient relocations. Toward the end of the week, the unit was still having problems with telephone communications.
– Updated 10/31/05