Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) has partnered with HASC (ReddiNet) and the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) to define and activate emergency responder roles for 300 long-term care facilities (LTCs) in the County. In a major disaster such as an earthquake, fire, flood, or epidemic, long-term care facilities are an essential part of the health care network in providing assistance for patients.Beds, supplies and personnel are all key resources.In its role as emergency medical coordinator, the EMS Agency needs to have quick, easy access to all available resources to effectively manage an event.

Starting in November with the statewide emergency drill, 11 LTCs will participate in responding to a food borne illness. Selected by CAHF and using ReddiNet, these organizations will exchange information on facility service level, patients and resources. Including these facilities greatly enhances the ability of EMS to identify and allocate resources, optimizing assistance.

“Having ReddiNet at LTCs will allow LA County to quickly send out messages and assessment polls, making emergency response coordination for this sector of the health care system more efficient – from a simple generator or air conditioner request to a facility evacuation and patient placement,” said Roel Amara, Chief, Disaster Medical Management for LA County.

After the drill, the objective is to add 100 LTCs each year and look for value-added communication features on ReddiNet for LTCs to use on a daily basis.

Contact: Cathy Winans
(213) 538-0719, cwinans@hasc.org