Emergency/Pandemic Preparedness

Medical product distributors play a pivotal role in emergency preparedness. Distributors are among healthcare’s first responders during natural disasters, biological events, and other adverse scenarios.

HIDA sits on the medical materials subcouncil of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Healthcare Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC). This group, which was created by a presidential directive, includes nearly 120 organizations that work to ensure the continuity of the U.S. healthcare system in emergency situations. The HSCC assists in creating and updating America’s National Response Plan and National Infrastructure Protection Plan.

Additionally, HIDA works to:

• Create government linkages and foster coordination between medical products distributors and federal stakeholders including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Facilitate working relationships between HIDA members and other industry stakeholder organizations including the American Hospital Association, the Red Cross, and the Joint Commission.
• Provide information and resources to distributors, healthcare providers and others. Resources include a listing of scenario-specific medical products and supplies, state emergency contacts, and emergency preparedness planning guides.

If you are interested in receiving Emergency Preparedness communications and alerts from HIDA, or joining our working group contact Amy Michael at (703) 838-6121, or michael@hida.org.