Disaster Strikes
Vertical flowchart on a black background showing the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) process from the onset of a disaster through patient discharge.
At the top, a dark navy rounded rectangle with white text reads: “Disaster Strikes.”
A dashed vertical line runs down the center of the chart, with small downward-pointing arrows marking each step. The process alternates between text placed on the left and right sides of the line.
Emergency response and patient transport
Shown in dark blue text and arrows
Local/county resources exhausted
State/territory resources exhausted
State/territory requests federal assistance
FEMA requests Emergency Support Function #8: Public Health and Medical Services
HHS, through ASPR, activates NDMS definitive care
NDMS federal bed report requested for all NDMS health care partner facilities
Federal Coordinating Centers (FCCs) identified and alerted for activation
Patients requiring evacuation from the impacted area identified
NDMS federal patients transported through a designated FCC
Patient placement, care coordination, and discharge
Shown in orange text and arrows
FCC works with local NDMS health care facility partners to arrange incoming patient placement
NDMS federal patient transported by EMS to the accepting health care facility
NDMS case manager deployed to coordinate care for each federal patient
ASPR NDMS Reimbursement Center staff assist facilities with claims and billing questions
NDMS case manager collaborates with the facility on the patient’s health care needs and care planning
NDMS federal patient becomes ready for discharge
NDMS case manager assists with discharge location and patient needs
At the bottom, a wide dark navy rounded rectangle with white text reads: “You made a difference in the lives of Americans in need!”
The chart uses blue to represent emergency activation, federal coordination, and patient transport, and orange to represent placement, care management, reimbursement support, and discharge.