What we do

Healthcare coalitions form a collaborative network of healthcare organizations and their respective public and private sector response partners that assist Emergency Management and Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 with preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities related to disaster operations. Healthcare coalitions reflect the unique needs and characteristics of local jurisdictions and therefore, you will see different models both locally and nationally.

HOW NORTH CAROLINA DOES IT

Within the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) is one of the lead state agencies for healthcare preparedness, response, and recovery, in close partnership with the Division of Public Health and the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTHCARE PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

Partnering For a Prepared and Resilient North Carolina

MISSION:

We are a partner to healthcare and emergency response organizations working to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters affecting the residents and guests of North Carolina.

VISION:

A sustainable and resilient healthcare coalition of partners and volunteers.

VALUES:

Advocacy    Innovation    Transparency    Integrity

Goals:

Strengthen Healthcare Preparedness      Support Continuity of Operations      Enhance Situational     Awareness      Improve Incident Management      Augment Medical Surge

HEALTHCARE COALITON PLANNING, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING

Among other joint functions, Health Care Coalitions pool and share resources in order to receive and care for mass casualties, establish redundant communications, share situational awareness and scarce resources, and provide training and education to facilities. With the introduction of new CMS preparedness requirements, Health Care Coalitions extend beyond the traditional partners (Hospitals, EMS agencies, and Emergency Management Agencies) to include long-term care facilities, community health centers, behavioral health care, and many others.

Previous
ACTIVITIES

  • CMS Rule Interpretation
  • Surge Planning
  • Evacuation Planning
  • Exercise Development and Evaluation
  • Incident Management Team Training
  • Decontamination Training
  • Active Shooter

Healthcare Coalitions are a part of the State Medical Response System (SMRS). The SMRS is coordinated by the Office of Emergency Medical Services in an effort to improve the State’s ability to respond to emergent events that impact healthcare. When healthcare infrastructure is overwhelmed by an event(s) and local and/or mutual aid resources are exhausted or inadequate, the purpose of the SMRS is to:

  • Provide support to that overwhelmed system by supplying the necessary equipment, assets, and/or personnel needed to provide medical care, and
  • To ensure healthcare infrastructure continuity by facilitating the development of resilient systems through operational planning, training, and exercises.

Primary SMRS/Regional Operational Missions:

    1. Medical Sheltering
    2. Field Medical Care
    3. Alternate Care Facility
    4. Logistical/resource support

Secondary SMRS/Regional Operational Missions:

    1. First-receiver decontamination operations
    2. POD operational support
    3. Isolation/quarantine support
  • Hospitals – Hospitals are the first receiving facilities in any disaster. Hospitals support staff deployment and communicate bed availability.
  • EMS (including inter-facility and other non-EMS patient transport systems) – Emergency medical personnel are some of the first responders on the scene of any disaster. They are on the front lines and are often the first medical professionals that a patient will encounter.
  • EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS – EMA’s are the local lead during disasters. They share situational awareness with coalitions who in turn communicate this information to the healthcare infrastructure.
  • PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES – Monitor and prepare for pandemic and environmental health hazards and provide sheltering support during disasters.
  • ANCILLARY HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS: With proper training, coordination and planning, Ancillary Heath Care Agencies and other stakeholders can provide local situational awareness, surge capability, and staffing resources. They include:
  • Behavioral health services and organizations
  • Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
  • Dialysis centers and regional Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-funded end-stage renal disease (ESRD) networks
  • Federal facilities (e.g., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, Indian Health Service facilities, military treatment facilities)
  • Home health agencies (including home and community-based services)
  • Infrastructure companies (e.g., utility and communication companies)
  • Jurisdictional partners, including cities, counties, and tribes
  • Local chapters of health care professional organizations (e.g., medical society, professional society, hospital association)
  • Local public safety agencies (e.g., law enforcement and fire services)
  • Medical and device manufacturers and distributors
  • Non-governmental organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, voluntary organizations active in disasters, amateur radio operators, etc.)
  • Outpatient health care delivery (e.g., ambulatory care, clinics, community and tribal health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), urgent care centers, freestanding emergency rooms, stand-alone surgery centers)
  • Primary care providers, including pediatric and women’s health care providers
  • Schools and universities, including academic medical centers
  • Skilled nursing, nursing, and long-term care facilities
  • Support service providers (e.g., clinical laboratories, pharmacies, radiology, blood banks, poison control centers)
  • Other (e.g., child care services, dental clinics, social work services, faith-based organizations)
  • Specialty patient referral centers