Emergency Management
Hospitals respond to emergencies 24/7/365
Having a hospital at the ready to respond to disasters and address the needs of ailing citizens is essential. Hospitals and health systems must maintain trained personnel, specialized equipment and supplies to prepare for any emergency, no matter how small or large.
The North Carolina Hospital Emergency Management Council, affiliated with the North Carolina Healthcare Association, provides North Carolina hospital emergency management stakeholders a networking forum that results in the strengthening of our health systems’ Emergency Management Programs.
The Council includes, but is not limited to: Hospital Emergency Management Program Leaders, Hospital Executive Leadership, Hospital Governmental Liaisons, and multiple North Carolina state government agencies, such as the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services, North Carolina Department of Public Health and North Carolina Emergency Management.
The aim of the Council is to:
- Develop standard work and best practice models. This information may be used to developed policies, plans, protocols, and training programs.
- Improve consistency and standardization in achieving the meeting of emergency management related accreditation and regulatory standards and laws.
Strengthen the ability of hospitals to provide mutual aid to each other during disaster events. - Strengthen understanding of the hospitals relationship with state healthcare coalition partner organizations and agencies.
Attached is the Charter of the Council.
Mutual Aid Agreement
The NCHA Mutual Aid Agreement (MAA) is a voluntary written arrangement among signatory hospitals to promote effective utilization of hospital resources in the event of disaster. See a copy of the MAA here. Members can login at the top of the page for access to additional resources, including a list of signed MAAs.
Standardized Emergency Alerts
Standardized emergency notifications promote safety and reduce harm by quickly communicating emergencies and mobilizing expert assistance. The need to standardize emergency alerts had been recognized by hospital emergency management staff, especially in communities with more than one hospital or adjacent to nearby states. Members can login at the top of the page for access to resources.
Emergency/Disaster Temporary Licensure
The North Carolina Medical Board has recently changed licensing rules for a variety of professions during states of emergency/disaster. These rules provide for a limited emergency license during states of emergency and other emergency/disaster situations as contemplated in N.C.G.S. 90-12.5, which is available online at https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bychapter/chapter_90.html. Of note, this affects Physicians, Physician Assistants, Anesthesiologists, and Perfusionists.
The Medical Board has a dedicated disaster response page at https://www.ncmedboard.org/landing-page/disaster and also provided a link to their FAQs for temporary emergency/disaster licensure: https://www.ncmedboard.org/resources-information/faqs/emergency-disaster-licensure
NCHA Contact