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What Are Memoranda of Understanding?

Hospitals should consider memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with organizations that can supplement their resources and services during emergencies and disasters. MOUs are established between hospitals, other health care providers, and/or emergency response agencies to collaborate, communicate, respond, and support one another during a disaster or other public health emergency. Understandings regarding the incident command structure, patient and resource management, processes and policies in place for requesting and sharing of staff, equipment and consumable resources, as well as payment, are generally addressed in a local mutual aid MOU.

Vulnerable Populations: Overview

Hospitals play a critical role in safeguarding the health and safety of all individuals during disaster events, particularly those from vulnerable populations. These groups—such as the elderly, children, individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness, and non-English speakers—often face unique challenges during crises, making tailored disaster planning essential.

Access & Functional Needs (AFN)

In 2008, California established the Office of Access and Functional Needs (OAFN) within the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. This collection of CalOES online resources identify the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access or functional needs before, during, and after disasters and to integrate them into the State’s emergency management systems.

Crisis Care Resources for Hospitals

Public health emergencies, natural disasters, and mass casualty events require hospitals to implement triage protocols to prioritize care based on patient severity and treatment likelihood. Hospitals must strive for equitable access, particularly for vulnerable populations, while addressing the ethical implications of resource allocation.

Samples: Hospital Mutual Aid Memoranda of Understanding

The mutual aid support concept is well established and is considered “standard of care” in most emergency response disciplines. The purpose of this mutual aid support agreement is to aid hospitals in their emergency management by authorizing the Hospital Mutual Aid System (H-MAS). H-MAS addresses the loan of medical personnel, pharmaceuticals, supplies, and equipment, or assistance with emergent hospital evacuation, including accepting transferred patients.

Health Care Surge: Overview

Planning for health care surges during disasters is crucial for hospitals to ensure they can effectively respond to sudden increases in patient volume. Disasters can overwhelm medical facilities–having surge plans in place allow hospitals to optimize resource allocation, manage staff and equipment efficiently, and maintain continuity of care for both surge and non-surge patients.

SNF/NF Surge Planning Tool

All skilled-nursing and nursing facilities are required by federal regulations to “have detailed written plans and procedures to meet all potential emergencies and disasters, such as fire, severe weather, and missing residents.” California’s Health and Safety Code and California’s Code of Regulations – Title 22, (T22) specify the “details” that are required in the facility emergency plan. To help facilities prepare for the external disaster plan review during the annual survey process, the Department of Homeland Security has developed an optional self-assessment tool.

What is all-hazard planning?

Many hospitals used to develop specific plans for a variety of disaster and emergency situations. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) now requires that hospitals use an emergency management system that is comprehensive, risk based, and all-hazard in nature.