Modular Emergency Medical System (MEMS)

The Modular Emergency Medical System (MEMS) was established to expand a community’s surge capacity of patient care during a disaster based event. MEMS consist of two separate but intertwined assets; the Acute Care Center (ACC) and the Neighborhood Emergency Help Center (NEHC).

The ACC is versatile and adaptable for any natural or human caused disaster situation and can be located near a hospital to facilitate the reciprocal transfer and referral of patients. Treatment goals of the ACC are predefined based on anticipated historical acuity. The ACC plan was developed to provide the most good for the greatest number of people while using limited resources.

The NEHC concept was developed from the MEMS guidelines to provide evaluation and generalized treatment for 1,000 patients a day. This care is defined as triage, treatment and if able, discharged to home. In some instances, patients may be too sick to send home, and based on acuity level, they would receive extended treatment at the ACC, thereby protecting the community infrastructure of the local hospitals. The NEHC has the capacity to treat five critical care patients (including trauma) simultaneously while secondary transfer to a facility is being arranged.

The strength of the system is the adaptability of its footprint that allows for the functionality to meet each community’s medical needs.

The storage and transportation platform for each ACC or NEHC is built around a 53-foot semi-trailer. Regions were designated by the Ohio Department of Health for the initial pilot program and for ACC implementation sites. The HELP Center™ partnered with regional stakeholders to identify existing structures for ACC primary/secondary activation and storage sites. Each building considered was reviewed and scored using an assessment grid to evaluate the appropriateness of the structure. The process was repeated for each region.

In July 2007 at the Dayton Vectren International Air Show, the NEHC concept was utilized to research the documented MEMS guidelines. The HELP Center™ staff along with multiple other healthcare providers established a single swim lane for treatment of patients. Surveyors with a background in statistical modeling were utilized to time stamp the process of providing patient care in the NEHC. Staff responsibilities were interchanged to test a variety of systems. Levels of care ranged from treatment with a band-aid to pediatric resuscitation and airway management. See: Coherent Strategy, Fall 2007.

The MEMS ACC concept was transformed into a working plan for the Northwest, Southeast, and West Central regions of Ohio, becoming a working model that can be replicated throughout the state of Ohio and beyond.

News from the HELP Center
Ohio Department of Health Awards $1.5M to Continue ACC & NEHC Program

WC Ohio MEMS technology and supply-chain center, Dayton, Ohio.

October 31, 2007 — The maintenance contract from the Ohio Department of Health was officially awarded in October to continue the Modular Emergency Medical System initiatives. These initiatives include the West Central Acute Care Center (ACC) and Neighborhood Emergency Help Center (NEHC).

In 2006, the Ohio Department Health contracted Wright State University’s Department of Emergency Medicine HELP Center to establish the state’s pilot ACC and NEHC projects. Both the ACC and NEHC would become activated in a large-scale disaster, whether man-made or natural, to provide additional health care. Crucial steps are being taken to provide the state an insurance policy for mass care.

The $1.5 million contract will ensure the maintenance of the ACC’s and NEHC’s operations to include storage and security of existing medical supply caches, locate and analyze future storage sites.

For more information, contact:
Pete Savard, RN, BSN, CPM
Assistant Director, MEMS
The HELP Center™
3139 Research Blvd., Suite 205
Kettering, OH 45420
(937) 775-1320
Fax: (937) 775-1329
peter.savard@wright.edu