Function 6

	Support Out of Hospital Emergency Services
	LEMSA Roles: Response
	Function Objective Develop plans and procedures to respond to non-hospital facilities and services.

Element 6.1 Support Out-of-Hospital Care

Standard:

LEMSAs shall ensure plans and procedures are developed to respond to non-hospital facilities and services including skilled nursing facilities, board and care facilities, home health agencies, public health clinics, and community clinics during disasters.

Guideline 6.1.1

Support Out-of-Hospital Care

1. LEMSAs should ensure that significant non-hospital health facilities, especially community clinics are:

· Listed with their contact information in resource inventories.

· Provided with information prior to disasters about how to access the medical and health response system.

· Included in preparedness training programs, and especially encouraged to take HEICS training.

2. LEMSAs should ensure disaster medical system plans and procedures incorporate provisions for:

· Including non-hospital facilities in assessments of system damage and capability.

· Supporting continued patient care.

· Assessing value of facilities as resources.

· Receiving, prioritizing and responding to requests from non-hospital facilities.

3. LEMSAs should ensure plans and procedures are developed to:

· Open and operateActivate shelters for medically fragile individuals and other vulnerable populations following a disaster. Plans should also address the special needs of children.

· Provide medical support to other shelters.