Hurricane Maria Response in Puerto Rico

Abstract

TPS 662: Climate change effects on labour, migration and infections, Exhibition Hall, Ground floor, August 28, 2019, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM During disasters, large amounts of data and information about the impacted areas are collected by numerous response agencies. The repetitive nature of data collection efforts, combined with the lack of standardized methods and efforts, results in data that are often not suitable for identifying immediate needs and remedial actions. As part of the Hurricane Maria response activities, environmental assessments were conducted for health care facilities across Puerto Rico. After determining the significant amount of time required for data entry and cleaning and analysis and reporting of key findings, the assessment team leadership, in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Junta de Planificación GIS group, determined the feasibility of utilizing an app-based platform for assessment administration during the response activities. Pilot testing of the app, with geospatial capabilities, included assessing timing of survey administration and required procedures for manual and app-based data entry to determine feasibility and efficiency. A dashboard allowing real-time field data to be viewed by response leadership. The pilot work indicates using the app instead of paper-based assessments saved a minimum of 1 hour per survey that was previously required for data entry and cleaning. The errors encountered during transcription of paper-survey information into the electronic database were eliminated. Use of the app provides a unique opportunity for multi-agency coordination and the potential to decrease redundancy and duplication of efforts, decrease respondent fatigue, and increase efficiency and data quality while allowing for real-time presentation of key information to response leadership during the disaster response phase. While the app was used during the hurricane response, there are a multitude of other applications. For example, the current work as part of the Hurricane Recovery includes incorporated environmental contamination data into the app and dashboard platform to reduce the potential for environmental exposures to vulnerable populations.