An Opportunity Knocks for ARES

I work in a hospital as an ICU Nurse, and am sharply aware of the critical need for communications there -- between departments, the community, other healthcare facilities, and the public safety entities such as EMS/EVAC, emergency management, government, etc. Amateur Radio has traditionally had roles in providing backup communications to hospitals for drills and in disaster situations. For an example, look at the exemplary, historic work of Orange County, California's Hospital Disaster Support Communications System (HDSCS), a specialized ARES unit managed by District Emergency Coordinator April Moell, WA6OPS.
(See Story on their planned Field Day 2017 operation at Huntington Beach Hospital - Below in Replies)

I recently received an e-mail and report from another healthcare system communications veteran, Duane Mariotti, WB9RER, also of California, who called attention to new rules -- from the government agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid administration -- requiring hospitals to establish, among other things, an Emergency Communication Plan.

It struck Mariotti that a significant opportunity has been presented to ARES and other amateur service groups to play an enhanced role, helping hospitals comply with the new regulations.

From a release:
"The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers Final Rule to establish consistent emergency preparedness requirements for healthcare providers participating in Medicare and Medicaid, increase patient safety during emergencies, and establish a more coordinated response to natural and human-caused disasters.
[The regulations must be met by November 15, 2017, and is a condition of participation for CMS.] The providers/suppliers are
required to meet four core elements . . .:

"1. Emergency plan--Develop an emergency plan based on a risk assessment and using an "all-hazards" approach, which will provide an integrated system for emergency planning that focuses on capacities and capabilities.

"2. Policies and procedures--Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the emergency plan and risk assessment that are reviewed and updated at least annually. For hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities, the policies and procedures must address the provision of subsistence needs, such as food, water and medical supplies, for staff and residents, whether they evacuate or shelter in place.

"3. Communication plan--Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with federal, state and local laws. Patient care must be coordinated within the facility, across healthcare providers, and with state and local public health departments and emergency management systems to protect patient health and safety in the event of a disaster.

"4. A training and testing program--Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial training in policies and procedures. Facility staff will have to demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures and provide training at least annually. Facilities must conduct drills and exercises to test the emergency plan or participate in an actual incident that tests the plan."

Now would be a good time to approach hospitals and other healthcare facilities in your area, request a meeting with administrators, and put on the table your offer of services and support as a proven alternative radio-communications provider that will help the entity meet the requirements, and enhance Amateur Radio's already well-established record as an asset to the public interest in the context of hospitals and healthcare.
-- Thanks to Duane Mariotti, WB9RER, for the tip and information

SOURCE
www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2017-06-21

Profiles in ARES:
Orange County (California) Hospital Communications ARES Group to Operate Field Day at Huntington Beach Hospital

The Hospital Disaster Support Communication System (HDSCS) (www.hdscs.org/), a specialized unit of well-trained operators and part of ARES in the ARRL Orange Section, California, will conduct its Field Day exercise at Huntington Beach Hospital this weekend (June 20-25, 2017)

ARRL Orange Section District Emergency Coordinator (DEC) April Moell, WA6OPS, said "With our mission of backing up communications critical to patient care, it is only appropriate that we train at one of our supported hospitals." "We are grateful that Huntington Beach Hospital is willing, once again, to host us in this exercise, testing our ability to create antennas and stations, using existing structures and the equipment our members can bring with them," Moell said.

HDSCS has supported Orange County hospitals since 1980. As a group dedicated to providing emergency communications to the medical facilities of Orange County, Field Day serves as a training exercise for operators, develops team-building, facilitates our interface with hospital staff, and helps educate the public, all for the common goal of patient care and safety.

The group will be operating using the call sign W6PA.

SOURCE
www.arrl.org/ares-el?issue=2017-06-21