Public Information
MODULAR MEDICAL EXPANSION SYSTEM (MMES)
  

What is MMES?			The Division of Public Health has adopted an “all-hazards” systems 
				approach called the Modular Medical Expansion System (MMES) to 
				provide health and medical care when emergencies or disasters 
				overwhelm the healthcare system. The MMES rapidly expands 
				healthcare capacity and capability in Delaware. Detailed plans and 
				procedures instruct agencies how to respond in a coordinated 
				fashion. Lists of equipment, supplies and training help agencies plan 
				to respond quickly and seamlessly. 


Command and Management:		The State Health Operations Center (SHOC) is the hub of all health 
				and medical emergency response and recovery functions. The State 
				Health Officer acts as the SHOC Incident Commander and manages 
				all activities for Emergency Support Function 8 (Health and Medical 
				Response).   

				Through the MMES, SHOC can activate various facilities: a Neighborhood 
				Emergency Help Center, an Acute Care Center, dispatch an Investigative 
				Response Team, and/or open a Medical Needs Shelter.

 
Neighborhood Emergency Help	A Neighborhood Emergency Help Center (NEHC) facility serves as a 
Center:				gateway into the health care system in the event of a disaster or public 
				health emergency affecting large numbers of persons. NEHCs provide 
				medical information, medications and/or vaccine to prevent illness. A 
				single NEHC can process up to 2,000 people per hour depending upon 
				the agent.


Acute Care Center:		An Acute Care Center (ACC) is a non-traditional medical facility that 
				provides medical treatment when the normal healthcare system in 
				Delaware is overwhelmed by a public health emergency or disaster. 
				Patients who enter an ACC receive basic inpatient medical care to 
				treat injuries or illness resulting from a public health emergency or 
				disaster. Hospitals would most likely provide extensive life-support.  
 

Investigative Response Team:	The State Health Officer has the ability to dispatch Investigative Response 
				Teams (IRT) in response to a biological outbreak. IRTs investigate cases of 
				illnesses or diseases to determine if the disease is spreading, the source of 
				the disease, how it is transmitted, and if it is spreading within the community. 
				IRTs consist of an Epidemiologist, a Public Health Nurse, and an Environmental 
				Health Specialist.  


Medical Needs Shelter:		A Medical Needs Shelter (MNS) can be opened to provide short-term, supportive 
				medical care to persons displaced from their homes or specialized facilities and/or 
				those who cannot stay at a general population shelter due to their medical needs. 
				Such shelters serve as transitional areas, with patients staying up to 96 hours and 
				then returning to their homes or moving to other long-term care facilities. The 
				Delaware National Guard medical units manage the Medical Needs Shelters and 
				can provide direct patient care under SHOC direction.  

Fatality Management:		In the event that the number of deaths exceeds the private sector’s capability to 
				care for the deceased, the state can assist with body management. By opening 
				specialized facilities, the state, in coordination with the private sector, can ensure 
				that religious and cultural traditions are upheld and the deceased are respected, 
				particularly during this time of need.  
 


24/7 Emergency Contact Number:  1-888-295-5156
Revised: 03/2010