Last year, the Orleans Parish district attorney dropped homicide charges against nurses Cheri Landry and Lori Budo-who were accused of murdering patients during Hurricane Katrina-after they testified in front of a grand jury (In the News, January and August 2007).

Physician Anna Pou was also accused of causing the deaths of critically ill patients during Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Pou, not indicted by the grand jury, is back at work. But she is facing civil lawsuits for her part in the decisions that were made in a hospital left without power, supplies, or security.

I encourage AJN to continue following this story. What failed in New Orleans has not been repaired. We need a national emergency response plan that puts the patient first and supports nurses and physicians in that effort.

Nancy Green, BS, RN

Providence, RI

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