For the next two days, nurses from around the area will practice fundamentals to care for Louisiana’s chronically ill residents in a disaster situation.

The Department of Health – Office of Public Health, Center for Community Preparedness is hosting a training session that will enhance the skills of the nurses who will care for patients at Special Needs Shelters in the event of a hurricane or other emergency.

Special Needs Shelters are designed to provide emergency shelter to those with special medical needs. Often, those sheltered have a number of medical issues that require a nurse’s care. This training will provide specific information on caring for many of the health issues encountered in a shelter, including patients with respiratory problems, diabetes and serious wounds.

The training will be held on Sept. 12 & 13, at Our Lady of the Lake College Health Career Institute. Staff from the hospital will teach the nurses these skills.

The media are invited to attend the training from 2:30-4:30 p.m. At this time, the nurses will simulate the clinical skills required to care for special needs patients.