Scripps Health to be on Alert to Operate Mobile Field Hospitals for Hurricane Victims
State of California Asks Scripps Health to be on Alert to Operate Mobile Field Hospitals for Hurricane Gustav Victims
SAN DIEGO – The state of California has notified Scripps Health administrators to be on alert and ready to deploy to the Gulf Coast region at any time to assist with the region’s health care needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.
Scripps Health serves as the hospital administrative support unit (HASU) for the state’s three mobile field hospitals, which could potentially be deployed to treat affected residents in the region. The state sought Scripps to operate the mobile field hospitals based on Scripps’ experience in providing care to victims of Hurricane Katrina and last year’s San Diego wildfires.
In 2007, the California Emergency Medical Services Authority invited Scripps to develop the internal administrative processes and procedures for running three large mobile field hospitals recently purchased by the state. The three 220-bed mobile field hospitals would be deployed in disaster situations when existing hospitals are at capacity or unable to remain open due to a disaster.
While Scripps will provide the administrative team for the mobile field hospitals, clinical staff will be provided by disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs).
In 2001 Scripps created an office of disaster preparedness, which is staffed full time to establish disaster response strategies for the health system.
About Scripps Health
Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2 billion nonprofit community health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 12,300 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices and outpatient centers.
Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and graduate medical education.
Read more about Scripps Health
Contact: Steve Carpowich
Phone: 858-678-7183
E-mail: carpowich.stephen@scrippshealth.org