Public Information
ACUTE CARE CENTERS (ACC)





What is an ACUTE CARE				An Acute Care Center (ACC) is a non-traditional 
CENTER?						medical facility that provides medical treatment 
						when the normal healthcare system in Delaware is 
						overwhelmed from a disaster.  The ACC is one 
						part of the state’s Modular 	Medical Expansion 	
						System (MMES).  See MMES Fact Sheet.  

What kind of care would one 			Patients who enter an ACC receive basic inpatient
receive at an ACC? 				medical care to treat injuries or illness resulting 
						from a public health emergency or disaster.  This 
						care would include, but not be limited to, hydration, 
						antibiotic therapy, bronchodilation, and pain 	
						management.  Extensive life-support, however, 
						would most likely be provided at a hospital. 

Capacity					Currently, ACCs in Delaware can support a  	
						maximum of 400 beds.  Facilities are designated 
						throughout the state to support ACCs.  Plans are 
						underway to expand this capacity to 1,000 staffed 
						beds.   

Managing and Staffing ACCs			A state of emergency is usually declared before an 
						ACC is activated.  The Division of Public Health, 
						through the State Health Operations Center called 
						SHOC, provides necessary coordination and 	
						resources to sustain the ACCs. Hospitals manage 
						and staff ACCs in conjunction with the Division of 
						Public Health.  DPH staff may be supplemented by 
						the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps and federal 
						medical personnel.

How would a patient enter			A patient would not go directly to an ACC. Patients
an Acute Care Center?				would only be admitted after being evaluated by 
						the Hospital Emergency Department or the 	
						Neighborhood Emergency Help Center (NEHC), 
						operated by the Division of Public Health. 



 
 
 
 
24/7 Emergency Contact Number:  1-888-295-5156
Revised: 05/2007
Doc. # 35-05-20-07/05/80