World Trade Center records folder, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Hospital Industry ($ in millions) Immediately following the World Trade Center disaster, hospitals throughout New York City geared up to receive thousands of injured patients. Preparations that led to increased costs for hospitals throughout New York City included: O the authorization of additional overtime for doctors, nurses, and support staff, o

the hiring of contract nurses and other temporary workers; o

the establishment of command centers at each hospital; and o

additional purchases of critical supplies such as surgical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and food.

In addition, hospitals had to undertake several emergency measures to prepare for the expected influx of injured patients, all of which contributed to significant revenue losses. While such losses are difficult to quantify at this time, they will undoubtedly lead to even larger operating deficits at hospitals that were already under financial duress prior to the terrorist attack. These revenue losses include: o the temporary closure of all ambulatory care sites such as hospital outpatient facilities, clinics, and diagnostic and treatment centers; o the suspension of all elective surgeries requiring inpatient stays; o the early discharge of clients receiving inpatient care in order to free up beds for the individuals who were injured at the World Trade Center; and o the use of medical staff to perform non-reimbursable services such as grief counseling and administration.

Although the hospitals near Ground Zero received the bulk of the injured, individuals impacted by the tragedy were treated at a number of hospitals several miles away from the site, and hospitals in the outer boroughs remained on high alert in the event that hospitals in the immediate vicinity would be unable to cope with the anticipated workload.

Assumptions:

Health and Hospitals Corporation payroll $6 million per day Additional staffing costs at time and a half $3 million per day Additional supply costs $1 million per day Total additional costs at HHC $4 million per day

HHC percentage of total hospital market in New York City 25%

Additional staffing and supply costs at voluntary hospitals $12 million per day

Total hospital industry costs $16 million per day

Number of days that hospitals remained on high alert 10 days

TOTAL $160

NYC-WTC 000136423