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Fri Sep 12 20:28:06 BST 2008

Ken and all of you out there,

Our thoughts are with you as you batten down the hatches, and keep doing
what you are so good at...

Stay safe,

Stephen

-----Original Message-----
From: trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org [mailto:trauma-list-bounces at trauma.org]
On Behalf Of KMATTOX at aol.com
Sent: 12 September 2008 20:16
To: trauma-list at trauma.org
Subject: IKE Houston 9 12 08 11 AM

FYI -   SORRY FOR THE Cross posting.   

To CCM-L, Trauma-list, and Surginet.      I sent  this to a large network of

trauma and other physicians we have in the Texas  area.    Just to let you 
know what is happening in  Houston.   

To All of my friends in the Trauma network and within the leadership of  
Texas Medical Association
Thank many of you for your concerns, prayers, and  inquires.     

For our friends south and east of us.    If you need us for  major clinical 
problems lets know.   The persons on this list can make  things happen.    

We have 325 patients in this 600 bed hospital.   The ICUs and EC  are full.

 We have at least 2 faculty from every service in  house, and for some 
services (Medicine) we have an excess.   The  reserve internists and
radiologists 
are going home at noon today.    The radiologists are here in mass to assure

that NO unread images are backlogged  as of NOW.     It is cloudy here, but
so 
far NO WIND or RAIN  in Houston.   In Galveston 60 miles to our south, sea
water 
is already  lapping over a 17 feet sea wall.   Those on Galveston Island who

are  not OUT will probably not now get off the island.    

The low areas to the south and east of Houston, are vulnerable, all the way

to Port Arthur over by the Texas Louisiana border, where a 20-24 foot surge
is 
 anticipated.   

The state, county, and city governmental officials have communicated well  
together.   The 5000 person Conference Call 3 times a day has done a  lot to
let 
everyone know who has what assets and how needs  help.    

So far medical problems in evacuees (except a few problems in the relocated

special needs patients).    
>From a medical standpoint, we do not need any additional assets in people
or 
supplies, at least as far as I know.     All tanks for  emergency generators

are topped off.    It is now just a matter  of waiting and being available 
first to those who are in the hospital right now,  then to those who come in

after the impact.     

I would recommend that none of you plan to come to Houston, unless it is  
totally coordinated with the local Incident Commands.     It  would be much 
better, because of loss of infrastructure, electricity, etc, after  impact,
you  
and your city consider having a sister city rescue facility to  MOVE
activities 
OUT of the impact area if this becomes  necessary.    We do not anticipate a

need to evacuate any  hospitals, but it might happen.    If it happens, it 
would be  wonderful, if someone had tabulated where and for what kind of
patients  
(neonates, intubated, CV, septic, etc) your hospital could take if transfer 
were  made available.       

It is not 13 hours before land fall, but we expect gale force winds to
begin 
within a couple of hours. 

We expect the impact area, including Houston to have significant power  
outages, and property damage.   We expect the power outages to last up  to 2
weeks 
or more.    HOT & Humid.   

Kenneth L. Mattox, MD

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IKE Houston 9 12 08 11 AM