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Hurricane Katrina and Its Effects on a Regional Cochlear Implant Program
Author(s) -
Lupa Michael,
Molony Timothy,
Amedee Ronald
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.21677
Subject(s) - hurricane katrina , medicaid , medicine , demographics , cochlear implantation , population , cochlear implant , audiology , demography , natural disaster , geography , political science , environmental health , health care , sociology , meteorology , law
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects Hurricane Katrina had on the demographics and outcomes of patients receiving cochlear implantation at our institution.This was a retrospective chart review of 179 patients (190 ears) receiving cochlear implantation from January 2003 to December 2007.Paper records and an outcome database were reviewed for analysis.The number of implants performed pre-Katrina (pre-K) was 68 (2.1 per month), post-Katrina (post-K) the number rose to 122 (4.3 per month). The percentage of patients paying primarily with public funds (Medicare, Medicaid) was 41.2% pre-K and increased to 55.7% post-K (p=0.067). Post operative pure tone averages were 24.3 ( ± 11.05) dB pre-K and 23.7 ± 11.93) dB post-K (p=0.7272).Despite the damage and displacement Hurricane Katrina caused we saw an increase in the number of patients receiving cochlear implants. Our patient population's payment means shifted toward a greater percentage utilizing public funds following the storm . We saw no change in our hearing outcomes as evidenced by PTA.