One-line Summary:

Five Days at Memorial is a gripping account of the chaos and ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals at a New Orleans hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Chaos and Desperation in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

In Five Days at Memorial, investigative journalist Sheri Fink takes readers on a harrowing journey through the chaos and desperation that unfolded at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As the storm ravaged the city, the hospital found itself cut off from the outside world, with no power, limited supplies, and rising floodwaters. With temperatures soaring and patients in critical condition, doctors and nurses faced impossible choices as they struggled to provide care amidst the deteriorating conditions.

The Controversial Decision to Euthanize Patients

One of the most controversial aspects of the book centers around the decision made by some medical professionals to administer lethal doses of medication to certain patients who were deemed unlikely to survive. Faced with a lack of resources and the belief that rescue was unlikely, a small group of doctors and nurses made the difficult decision to hasten the deaths of critically ill patients. This decision, known as “triage,” was intended to prioritize care for those who had a higher chance of survival. However, the ethical implications of this decision sparked intense debate and raised questions about the role of medical professionals in determining who lives and who dies during times of crisis.

The Legal and Ethical Fallout

After the storm subsided and the hospital was finally evacuated, investigations were launched to determine what had transpired during those five days at Memorial. Fink delves into the legal and ethical fallout of the euthanasia controversy, exploring the perspectives of those involved and the subsequent legal battles that ensued. The book raises important questions about the responsibilities of medical professionals in disaster situations, the limits of medical ethics, and the need for clear protocols and guidelines to guide decision-making during times of crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• The chaos and desperation that unfolded at Memorial Medical Center in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina highlighted the immense challenges faced by medical professionals during times of crisis.
• The controversial decision to euthanize certain patients raised ethical questions about the role of medical professionals in determining who receives care and who does not in resource-constrained situations.
• The legal and ethical fallout from the euthanasia controversy underscored the need for clear protocols and guidelines to guide decision-making during times of crisis.

“The storm did not kill the patients at Memorial. The staff did not kill the patients at Memorial. The government did not kill the patients at Memorial. Disease did not kill the patients at Memorial. The patients at Memorial died because of an extraordinary storm in a chronically ill city, in a hospital that was not prepared to protect them.” – Sheri Fink

In Five Days at Memorial, Sheri Fink masterfully captures the chaos, desperation, and ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals at Memorial Medical Center in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This gripping account raises important questions about the responsibilities of medical professionals during times of crisis and the need for clear guidelines to navigate the challenging decisions that arise. Fink’s meticulous research and compelling storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of medicine, ethics, and disaster response.