SORT's Special Medical Needs Division

The mission of Alternate Medical Care Setup is to meet the Special Medical Needs of those individuals who are either homebound or in assisted living / skilled nursing facilities in times of disaster.

This Special Needs division will provide pre-disaster planning assistance, an emergency response team to coordinate disaster response, and the equipment, supplies, and personnel to establish a Special Medical Needs Shelter.

This division works closely with SORT's Medical and Logistics Divisions to provide the care required in a Special Medical Needs / Alternate Medical Care Facility.

The Division's goal is to provide support for the Special Medical Needs population in order that they may remain in their current residence and when that is no longer feasible, to mobilize and maintain an Special Medical
Needs / Alternate Medical Care Facility.

The Special Medical Needs team (SMN) responds locally regionally and statewide if called to respond. On the local level, SORT has Memorandum's of Understanding (MOU's) with geographically chosen churches in Forsyth County that have donated their space to be utilized as a Special Needs Shelter.

Some of these churches have adapted their circuit panels to accommodate SORT's 50 kw generator to provide limited power to the Special Needs Setup area.

SORT has a limited capability to provide smaller generators locally to homebound patients that require electricity for necessary medical equipment at home (ventilators, oxygen concentrators, etc.) in the event of a temporarily power failure where relocation is not necessary.

SORT's 38 foot Special Medical Needs Trailer carries equipment stored on pallets in "pods" that make it scalable to accommodate from 25 to 150 patients requiring relocation to a designated Special Needs Shelter.

These pods provide the basic necessities and medical equipment to temporarily house relocated patients from their permanent residences in times of crisis.

SORT's SMN division can coordinate the shelter and provide the basic supplies, while the relocated facility's staff and care providers would accompany the patients to the Special Needs Shelter area.

Mobilization of the Special Medical Needs Command Center.

Representatives of Home Care and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Company's, Emergency Services, Social Services, Assisted Living Facilities, and SORT staff the Command Center to coordinate and deliver services to patients in need. When activated, the Special Medical Needs Command Center will be located at the SORT Disaster Training Center in Winston-Salem.

The response is available 24 hours per day by calling the SORT Emergency Number. In addition, there is an on-going effort to recruit and train volunteers for the shelter.

Childcare and sleeping/eating facilities can be provided at the shelter for the families of SORT members and assisted living/home care staff working at the shelter.

SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS GUIDELINES TO CONSIDER IN PREPARATION FOR POWER FAILURE AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

Medications

Always have at least a three-day supply of all of your medications.
Store your medications in one location in their original containers.
Have a list of all of your medications: name of medication, dose, frequency, and the name of the doctor prescribing it.

Medical Supplies

If you use medical supplies such as bandages, ostomy bags, or syringes, have an extra three day supply available Intravenous (IV) & Feeding Tube Equipment.
Know if your infusion pump has battery back up, and how long it would last in an emergency.
Ask your home care provider about manual infusion techniques in case of a power outage.
Have written operating instructions attached to all equipment.

Oxygen and Breathing Equipment

If you use oxygen, have an emergency supply (for three days or more).
Oxygen tanks should be securely braced so they do not fall over. Check with your medical supply company regarding bracing instructions.
If you use breathing equipment, have a three-day supply or more of tubing, solutions, medications, etc.

EMERGENCY NUMBER

SORT: (336) 760-6700 or Dial 911 (for Police, Fire, or EMS in Forsyth County. NC)