title: University of North Carolina's experience with state medical assistance teams.
abstract: Events in the last several years have shown a clear need for better preparation regarding disaster management. In an effort to improve this preparation, North Carolina implemented state medical assistant teams to provide alternative care facilities, decontamination facilities, and shelter assistance during times of disaster. This article explores these teams from the perspective of the University of North Carolina, which serves as a lead agency for one of these teams. Key components of the team, training provided, and lessons learned will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Services Administration, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. jcstrick@uch.edu
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strickler
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murtaugh
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003666:Decontamination; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016529:Emergency Nursing; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina