Natural disasters happen periodically throughout different regions of the world. Electronic disaster recovery plans preserve the accuracy, integrity, and validity of patient medical records when emergencies destroy original doctor notes, and hand-written patient charts. Many businesses lost important records during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, however; “Until the overwhelming destruction of Hurricane Katrina occurred, most businesspeople never even thought about their records management needs” (Cadence Group, 2005, p. 1). However, record management must occur if businesses expect to maintain accurate records of transactions that occurred with customers, clients, or patients. Many organizations currently encourage electronic record storage because “Recent events have put a spotlight on the problems and heartache caused by not protecting your vital records from damage and loss” (Cadence Group, 2005, p. 1).
Organizations face challenges when converting records to electronic format, however; credible information technology specialists oversee the process to ensure accuracy, integrity, and the ability to access, update, and retrieve records efficiently. During Hurricane Katrina Golf Coast Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, lost most of the patient records stored in the basement because of water damage on August 29, 2005. The 350-bed facility managed to implement measures allowing patients to obtain medical records to seek treatment at other medical facilities and to aid in the loss of life identifying process of patients who had medical records on file with the hospital. Golf Coast Hospital lacked the proper resources to fully ensure EMR record safety before the hurricane. However, Hurricane Katrina sparked a revelation throughout the country to implement an Electronic Health Record system (EHR). Mike Leavitt, an employee of Health and Human Services “Stressed the value