Disaster Preparedness

Safety in Statute: State Law Guides Violence Prevention in Health Care - 11/18/2024

A new state law guides violence prevention plans in health care.

Texas Physicians Propose Mass Violence Prevention Strategies - 09/20/2024

How should Texas address the incidents of mass violence that have rocked the state in recent years? Physicians laid out medicine’s priorities before a special committee of the Texas House of Representatives late last week. The hearing  of the House Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention and Comm

Prepare for Disasters With TMA’s Help - 10/08/2022

The Atlantic hurricane season has begun, and physicians who may be affected by a hurricane or other tropical storm need to be prepared. For help doing so, look to TMA's Disaster Preparedness and Response Resource Center.

Hurricane Harvey: One Year Later - 09/01/2022

Studies of the public health, mental health, and environmental effects of the storm could take years to complete. Meanwhile, physician practices share their own lessons learned.

Use This Disaster Prep Tool to Help Patients Collect Their Personal Medical Information - 08/26/2022

With flooding already hitting parts of Texas, now’s the time to remind patients to get copies of their vital personal medical information, in case of an emergency or natural disaster later.

When Disaster Strikes, PBF Relief Fund Helps Physicians - 09/20/2021

During that costliest storm in Texas history, TMA was there to help physicians rebuild and recover through its PBF Disaster Relief Fund. With support from The Physicians Benevolent Fund, doctors could continue to provide care and comfort to their patients following the devastation of the Category 4 storm.

New Electronic Disaster Response System Launched in Texas - 06/30/2021

Using Texas’ statewide health information exchange (HIE), the state has launched a new system that gives disaster response volunteers remote, secure access to patients’ electronic health information when treating them in alternate care sites during declared emergencies. The Texas Health Services Authority (THSA) recently stood up the Patient Unified Lookup System for Emergencies (PULSE) platform in Texas in partnership with Audacious Inquiry. PULSE falls under a suite of statewide HIE services known as “HIETexas” overseen by THSA, a public-private partnership.

Boosting Infrastructure for the Next Disaster - 06/29/2021

Recognizing the need for the state to plan for public health emergencies and natural disasters, TMA during this legislative session helped shape legislation aimed at changing the state’s public health authority infrastructure.