MOREHEAD, KY- At the request of the state of Kentucky, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services deployed a team of medical professionals from its National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) to St. Claire HealthCare (SCH) to safely care for the surge of COVID-19 patients.
A Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is part of the NDMS, which helps communities respond to and recover from public health emergencies and disasters. During a 14-day period, DMAT provided help from a medical officer, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, supply officer, respiratory therapist, four registered nurses and three paramedics.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) EMS (Emergency Medical Services) strike teams also assisted St. Claire with transfers and transporting COVID-19 patients. Each team is comprised of five advanced life support ambulances, and each ambulance is staffed with one paramedic and one emergency medical technician (EMT).
In addition, members of the Kentucky Army National Guard have been at St. Claire since September 1 and are helping with non-clinical logistical tasks throughout St. Claire Regional Medical Center, including assisting security, the stock room, and pharmacy.
According to the staff at St. Claire, these soldiers hit the ground running and helped open an expanded COVID unit on their very first day.
To schedule a COVID vaccine appointment for you or your child (age 12 or older) through St. Claire HealthCare, call 606.783.7539. Schedulers are available to take your call Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.