The Department of Health and Human Services on Aug. 31 announced plans to create up to 40 250-bed federal emergency medical shelters to stabilize and provide basic medical care to hospital and nursing home patients evacuated from areas hit by Hurricane Katrina, as well as individuals with storm-related injuries. HHS said it has begun to set up one such shelter at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and plans to set up an additional nine shelters within the next 72 hours. Each shelter will be staffed “austerely” with a team of 100 health professionals, according to HHS. The agency said it would be seeking hospitals’ help in staffing and managing the additional centers and possibly in providing basic equipment such as cots and IV poles. The AHA promised to stay in close contact with HHS and notify hospitals when it has more information on HHS’ needs and answers to questions on liability, reimbursement and other issues. The AHA added that it is working with other hospital associations to set up a Web site and telephone number to collect information from hospitals interested in sending teams to staff the emergency medical shelters or provide other support. Secretary Leavitt thanked the hospital community for their “compassionate” response to the disaster, which he said is in keeping with the “American spirit.”