09 July 2006
Ranchgirl – at 21:58
I recently contacted our local county DOH to see if they had a chapter of the “Medical Reserve Corp.” www.medicalreservecorps.gov
They told me that they recently held their first organizational meeting and had 6 nurses and 3–4 others show up…not a great showing but not surpising. They invited me to their next meeting.
I have since run across this very interesting article. Worth the read. http://tinyurl.com/fepob
Interesting in hearing from anyone about their MRC…and whether they really think that volunteer nurses and doctors will risk showing up for volunteer duty when the time comes.
10 July 2006
rrteacher – at 01:00
The Medical Reserve Corps will certainly be beneficial, but they are not suited for pandemic response. They are designed to provide local and regional clinic care and support physical disasters, providing minor surgery/trauma care.
They do not provide respiratory care, per se and do not provide mechanical ventilation, other than transport and emergency (CPR) airway care.
They do not specifically recruit respiratory therapists.
11 July 2006
CAMike – at 01:53
15 July 2006
epi gal – at 00:09
RRteacher: You may not feel that MRC volunteers are suited for pandemic
response, but they are a major part of most states pandemic planning,
with respect to alternative care site (ACS) staffing.
They forsee a need for VERY basic medical needs at these sites, as the
hospitals will be turned into ICU-only facilities (with ventilators, etc.).
CDC is giving out HUGE grants for MRC development….gee, I wonder why?
20 July 2006
onandanon – at 20:46
21 July 2006
rrteacher – at 16:58
Recently passed in committee, S-3678 would solidify medical response to disasters by putting one person (directorate) in charge and putting HHS, NDMS, MRC and ESAR-VHP in a unified command. Some heavyweight co-sponsors to Sen. Burr’s bill should assure passage.
Maybe some hope here.
18 September 2006
Closed - Bronco Bill – at 00:13
Closed to maintain Forum speed.