Hurricane Katrina, more patient deaths were reported at Memorial Medical Hospital than at any other medical facility in the affected city.

Tenet Healthcare Corporation is required to demonstrate that they had not contributed to these deaths by providing evidence that:
1) they lacked knowledge or involvement with the decisions and actions taken by hospital staff.
2) they had supplied appropriate resources and protocols for disaster preparedness.
3) they had complied with authorities and families of deceased patients to close satisfaction.
4) patients evacuated via Tenet buses or helicopters received proper accommodations in Louisiana or adjoining states.
5) issues like lack of medical records, communication limitations, and substandard aftercare were adequately addressed.
Additionally, families of the deceased were appropriately notified of their loved one’s death with a full response to all requests for additional information about investigations and autopsies results.

The Schafer investigation uncovered disturbing evidence: certain patients had received lethal doses of midazolam and morphine, even though few of these individuals had been prescribed either drug for pain management. Furthermore, family members of the deceased reported that they had not given consent for their loved ones to be euthanized or sedated, believing instead that the hospital staff would have discharged them promptly.
Autopsy results revealed that 23 out of 41 bodies tested positive for one or both drugs. Consequently, investigators raised suspicions about possible involuntary euthanasia performed by medical personnel at Memorial Hospital; however, the accused denied any wrongdoing and asserted that they had administered comfort care to those who were in pain or distress.
His mantra of “Don’t. Get. Emotionally. Involved” (265) was a way for him to distance himself from the despair and tragedy he witnessed during his job. This helped him remain focused on his work so that he could make important life-saving decisions quickly and efficiently, even when faced with hostility or anger from staff or families of patients. However, it also reflected his situation – having recently experienced betrayal from his wife, loss of contact with his daughter, and disappointment in unsuccessful relationships – where he had no one to turn to for support or solace.
In light of this, repeating this mantra was a way for him to protect himself from further hurt and keep any meaningful attachments at bay to function despite his difficult emotional turmoil.