Healthcare Preparedness and Response

In Oregon, our healthcare systems are stronger when we work together. We also know that needs vary throughout the state.

That is why Oregon's healthcare system takes a regional approach to disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The approach allows healthcare responses to be flexible and scalable. It also allows the heath system to meet the diverse needs of local communities more fairly. The building blocks for this approach include:

Regional Healthcare Coalitions
Regional Resource Hospitals
Regional Resource Hospital Collaborative
The Oregon Medical Coordination Center (OMCC)

More information about regions and state support can be found below.

Regional Map
Note: Currently, there is no Region 4 or 8.The state is divided into 5 or 7 regions for purposes of state emergency response.

Regional Support Structures

Regional Healthcare Coalitions plan, practice and improve disaster health response efforts at a regional level. This model helps healthcare partners build resiliency and ensure equitable care. Partners work together to:

Build common goals.
Maintain preparedness, response and recovery plans.
Improve regional response plans through trainings, exercises and shared experience.

Coalitions include local public health, emergency management, hospitals, health care systems, emergency medical services (EMS) and tribal partners.

OHA Regional Emergency Coordinators (REC) support coalitions. RECs do this by promoting common initiatives. They also use federal frameworks to support planning and preparedness capabilities:

Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) National Response Framework
US Health and Human Service's Health Care Preparedness and Response Capabilities
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities

If you wish to speak with someone about regional disaster healthcare coalitions, contact our program.

When there is a sudden increase in patients, Regional Resource Hospitals (RRHs) work with local hospitals to maximize patient access to hospital beds. They do this when a region has critical capacity constraints. RRHs are also clinical members of the Regional Healthcare Coalitions. In their clinical role, they support surge planning and mutual aid. RRHs share information to prepare for large surges of patients.

The following hospitals currently serve as Regional Resource Hospitals. Click on the region to view the corresponding region's map.

Region 1 and 6: OHSU
Region 2: Salem Health
Region 3: PeaceHealth RiverBend
Region 5: Asante Health System
Region 7: St. Charles, Bend
Region 9: Grande Ronde Hospital

The Oregon Medical Coordination Center (OMCC) is a healthcare system collaboration. The initiative is a partnership between the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the following partners:

OHSU serving as the clinical and operational lead
Providence, Kaiser and Legacy Health systems
Identified Regional Resource Hospitals in Oregon

OMCC connects patients to open beds to meet unmet demand for inpatient beds across our state. It does this when capacity is limited. They help when normal referral pathways cannot provide timely transfer to higher level of care. OMCC is not a transfer center. Rather, it offers referring hospitals a statewide communication option.

Hospitals in need of support from OMCC can find additional information on the OMCC website.

Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers

CMS Emergency Preparedness Rules Resources

The Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers regulation (effective 2017) is 651 pages. The beginning is essentially the responses to suggestions and inquiries that were captured during the public comment period. The middle section details estimated costs associated with implementing the rule within provider sectors. The last 50 pages is dedicated to the breakdown of the individual rule requirements for each provider type. Find your provider type and read the requirements carefully. The core elements are essentially the same but there is distinction regarding conducting testing and some variance in infrastructure mitigation and preparation.

See the following links for more information on:

Documentation review

Initiating preparedness assessments

Emergency planning

Training resources

Researching testing and exercising