The AMA is very proud of the many heroic physicians and other health care professionals who sacrificed and distinguished themselves in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
We believe these physicians served as bright lights during New Orleans' darkest hour.

Cecil B. Wilson, MD
Chair, AMA Board of Trustees

Addendum on the New Orleans Case of Dr. Anna Pou

On September 25, 2006 the AMA (American Medical Association) released a statement on the New Orleans Case of Dr. Anna Pou, calling for a fair investigation of the events. The statement reads as follows:

The American Medical Association continues to monitor closely the situation of Louisiana physician Dr. Anna Pou. Dr. Pou is an AMA member in good standing.

The facts of this case appear complex, remain under investigation, and based on media reports, are sharply contested. Dr. Pou and others under investigation are entitled to due process and the AMA expects that they will receive full and fair treatment by our judicial system.

The AMA has clear policy on several issues relevant to the current investigation, including: encouragement of physician involvement in disaster preparedness; physician obligation to relieve pain and suffering; opposition to the criminalization of medical judgment; and the incompatibility of euthanasia with a physician's role as healer.

The AMA is very proud of the many heroic physicians and other health care professionals who sacrificed and distinguished themselves in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We believe these physicians served as bright lights during New Orleans' darkest hour."

Dr. Pou has been accused of being a principal to second-degree murder in the deaths of four elderly patients at Memorial Medical Center. The deaths occurred in the chaotic days following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
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In Her Own Words - Dr. Anna Pou
On September 24, Dr. Pou spoke with Morey Safer of 60 Minutes about the allegations against her and the two nurses. These are her own quotes.

On the Hospital and Working Conditions

You have to understand that there were very sick people in the hospital. You had this intense heat. We had the lack of all the tools that we normally used. And so people were dying from the horrible conditions because they were not strong enough to tolerate them.

I don't think I could have done anything more. I worked almost around the clock running up and down the stairs. I did the best I could under these dreadful conditions that I did not create, but were created by the fact that we were abandoned.

On Comfort Care vs. Euthanasia

I do not believe in euthanasia. I don't think that it's anyone's decision to make when a patient dies...What I do believe in is comfort care and that means that we ensure that they do not suffer pain.

More on Dr. Anna Pou's Case

• Deaths of Patients in Hurricane Katrina Aftermath: Disaster Casualties, Mercy Killing or Murder?

Source:
Wilson CB. AMA monitors New Orleans case, calls for fair investigation. AMA Press Release. September 25, 2006. <http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16876.html>
Katrina Doc Denies Mercy Killings. 60 Minutes. 24 September 2006. 26 September 2006. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/21/60minutes/main2030603.shtml>