NH DHHS Issues Crisis Standards of Care Plan to Guide Development of Clinical Guidelines during COVID-19

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has released the New Hampshire Crisis Standards of Care Plan. DHHS worked with stakeholders and clinical experts to develop the plan in order to guide the process of developing the Crisis Standards of Care Clinical Guidelines. These Clinical Guidelines would be used during the COVID-19 pandemic if normal standards of care cannot be maintained. It is essential the Department, healthcare stakeholders, advocates and policymakers have the time to create the Crisis Standard of Care Clinical Guidelines prior to the crisis period to prevent unnecessary negative outcomes.

The statewide Clinical Guidelines will be designed to ensure that fair, respectful, effective and efficient care is provided if the COVID-19 pandemic results in patient needs that exceed our available resources. The Crisis Standards of Care Plan is being activated to allow for the assembly of the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee and the State Triage Committee. These committees collectively will bring together subject matter experts and healthcare leaders to develop the Clinical Guidelines.

The appointment of the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee will be begin next week and work will begin immediately to identify a team of interdisciplinary subject matter experts to serve on the State Triage Committee.

Governor Chris Sununu has issued Emergency Order #33 to authorize the Commissioner of DHHS, Lori Shibinette, to activate the Crisis Standards of Care Plan and appoint members to the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee and the State Triage Committee.

For more information, go to the SDMAC web page.