Tenet says six hospitals hurt badly by Katrina (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Tenet Healthcare Corp. on Tuesday said its five hospitals in the New Orleans area and its hospital in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area suffered serious damage from Hurricane Katrina, and three of them have had to evacuate all patients and staff.

The Dallas-based company said it cannot yet estimate the extent of water and wind damage, but anticipates its costs will be "significant" even after taking into account its existing insurance coverage for property damage and business interruption.

Tenet said the six hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi, which collectively have 1,277 beds, and an imaging subsidiary with five locations in New Orleans, accounted for about 6 percent of its operating revenue in the first half of 2005.

"All are currently without municipal power and telephone service, and are using back-up generators," Tenet said, adding that no hurricane-related injuries to patients have been reported.