Emergency Preparedness

Facilities must comply with all applicable Federal, State and local emergency preparedness requirements, develop and maintain emergency preparedness program utilizing an hazards approach.

Be based on and include a documented, facility-based and community-based risk assessment, utilizing an all-hazards approach. The emergency preparedness program must include, but not be limited to, the following elements:

Emergency plan. The facility must develop and maintain an emergency preparedness plan that must be reviewed and updated at least annually. The plan must do all of the following:

(1) Be based on and include a documented, facility-based and community-based risk assessment, utilizing an all-hazards approach.

(2) Include strategies for addressing emergency events identified by the risk assessment.

(3) Address patient population, including, but not limited to, the type of services that are provided in the facility; and continuity of operations, including delegations of authority and succession plans.

(4) Include a process for cooperation and collaboration with local, tribal, regional, State, and Federal emergency preparedness officials' efforts to maintain an integrated response during a disaster or emergency situation, including documentation of the facility’s efforts to contact such officials and, when applicable, of its participation in collaborative and planning efforts;

(5) Be developed and maintained with assistance from fire, safety, and other appropriate experts.

The policies and procedures must address the following:

Safe evacuation, which includes staff responsibilities, and needs of the patients.

A means to shelter in place for patients, staff, and volunteers who remain in the facility.

A system of medical documentation that preserves patient information, protects confidentiality of patient information, and secures and maintains the availability of records.

The use of volunteers in an emergency and other emergency staffing strategies, including the process and role for integration of State or Federally designated health care professionals to address surge needs during an emergency.

Facilities should confer with local health department and emergency management officials

Referring to the GHA911 website (https://www.gha911.org) is one of the many ways for the facility to keep informed of important emergency preparedness news.