Author: Sheri Fink

Publisher: Crown (New York). 558 pp.

Type of work: History, current affairs, medicine, ethics

Time: August 2005–July 2007

Locale: New Orleans, Louisiana

Award-winning investigative journalist Sheri Fink provides a detailed account of Memorial Medical Center (MMC) in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent investigation into allegations of patient euthanasia.

The Legacy of Baptist Hospital

For many who grew up in New Orleans during the twentieth century, Baptist Hospital was an iconic institution. Alongside notable establishments like Tulane and Louisiana State University medical centers, Charity Hospital, Touro Infirmary, and Mercy Hospital, it stood as a beacon of healthcare. Despite challenges during the civil rights era, the facility maintained a reputation for patient-centered care. The 1996 sale to Tenet Healthcare Corporation, which renamed it Memorial Medical Center (MMC), did little to shake public confidence. The "Baptist" name persisted as a symbol of excellence, but Hurricane Katrina’s catastrophic flooding would challenge this trust, tarnishing the once-esteemed institution.

The Onset of Tragedy

Prior to Katrina's landfall on August 29, a city-wide evacuation was mandated, though hospitals were allowed to remain operational. Memorial Medical Center sustained only minor damage from the hurricane’s winds. Staff who stayed were equipped with ample provisions to see them through what was assumed to be a brief crisis. However, as the levees failed, the rising floodwaters isolated MMC, trapping patients and staff until a large-scale evacuation on September 1.

The Aftermath: Unanswered Questions

The evacuation did not mark the end of the ordeal; it left behind a grim discovery. Rescuers found the bodies of numerous patients, with an alarming forty-five deaths recorded during the period the hospital was cut off. This disproportionate fatality rate compared to other facilities sparked inquiries into what transpired during those fateful days.

Five Days in Focus

Sheri Fink’s Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital meticulously examines the events within MMC from August 28 to September 1, 2005. With her medical background and experience in conflict zones, Fink offers a thorough exploration of the chaos and the human stories that emerged. Her journalistic rigor shines through as she compiles accounts from numerous medical staff, administrators, and officials, weaving a narrative that reveals human resilience and failings under extreme pressure.

The Crucible of Crisis

Fink divides her narrative into two parts, beginning with the chaotic days of the storm. As the hurricane hit, MMC had already relocated as many patients as possible, yet about two thousand people, including two hundred patients, stayed. Among them were fifty-two patients from LifeCare, a specialized hospital renting space at MMC. These critically ill patients depended on constant care, but as power generators failed, staff faced unimaginable challenges. Through Fink's portrayal, readers grasp the mounting despair and the stark division between the strong and the vulnerable. Her focus on key figures, particularly Dr. Anna Pou, unveils the moral complexities faced by those later accused of controversial "mercy killings."

The Investigation Unfolds

The book’s second part delves into the investigations following the MMC crisis. Here, Fink introduces new characters, such as Assistant Attorney General Arthur "Butch" Shafer and investigator Virginia Rider. These officials painstakingly pursued every lead to ascertain whether the deaths were due to intentional actions by medical staff. Fink’s narrative captures the tension between the pursuit of justice and the public’s perception of heroism under duress.

A Clash of Narratives

While some families demanded justice for their deceased loved ones, others rallied in support of the healthcare professionals, igniting a media-fueled debate. The story’s central figure, Dr. Frank Minyard, the city's coroner,...