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The National (United States) Disaster Medical System: A Survey and Analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

William D. Clark ,
John C. Moskop  and
Theodore W. Whitley
William D. Clark*
Affiliation:
East Carolina University School of Medicine
John C. Moskop
Affiliation:
Department of Medical HumanitiesEast Carolina University School of Medicine
Theodore W. Whitley
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine
*
Address for Reprints: William D. Clark, c/o Department of Medical Humanities, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, 27858 USA
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Abstract

The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) was formulated to provide medical care for casualties of future large-scale natural disasters and military conflicts. We sent questionnaires to the 59 emergency medical directors of North Carolina's participating hospitals in order to assess their views regarding the need for NDMS and the level of their hospital's preparedness. Responses were received from 78% (46) of the physicians surveyed. Of those responding, an overwhelming majority supported the need for a national plan like NDMS to treat casualties of a natural disaster or an overseas military conflict. Respondents also agreed that the participation of emergency department personnel, other physicians, and support personnel is essential for successful activation of NDMS. Responses to questions regarding level of preparedness, however, suggested that there is less than an optimal degree of preparedness for participation in NDMS.

Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 35 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1991

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References

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