CMS Emergency Preparedness Of Healthcare Facilities

CMS Emergency

New Rule for CMS Emergency Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid

New Rule for CMS Emergency Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities

Situations like the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, help remind us that in the event of an emergency situation, the primary priority of health care service providers and suppliers is to safeguard the health and safety of their patients.

Disaster readiness is not only an obligation of hospitals but of many other service providers and suppliers of healthcare services. Whether it’s trauma care or long-term nursing care or a home health service, patients’ needs for health care don’t stop when disasters strike; in fact, their needs often increase in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

During the past several years, and most recently in Louisiana, a multitude of man-made and natural disasters have put the health and safety of Medicare and Medicaid recipients at risk. These new guidelines will demand providers to prepare for disasters and coordinate with federal, state, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems to ensure that facilities are properly prepared to fulfill the needs of their patients during disasters and emergency situations.

Risk Assessment

Security Risk Assessment

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) completed a rule to establish regular emergency preparedness guidelines for health care service providers participating in Medicare and Medicaid, boost patient safety and security during emergency situations, and establish a more coordinated reaction to man-made and natural disasters.

This final rule requires Medicare and Medicaid participating suppliers and providers to meet the following four well known and common industry best practice standards.

This final rule requires Medicare and Medicaid participating providers and suppliers to meet the following four common and well-known industry best practice standards.

1. Emergency plan: Based on a risk assessment, develop an emergency plan using an all-hazards approach focusing on capacities and capabilities that are critical to preparedness for a full spectrum of emergencies or disasters specific to the location of a provider or supplier.

2. Policies and procedures: Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the plan and risk assessment.

3. Communication plan: Develop and maintain a communication plan that complies with both Federal and State law. Patient care must be well-coordinated within the facility, across health care providers, and with State and local public health departments and emergency systems.

4. Training and testing program: Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial and annual training, and conduct drills and exercises or participate in an actual incident that tests the plan.

The final rule also includes a number of local and national resources related to emergency preparedness, including helpful reports, toolkits, and samples. Additionally, health care providers and suppliers can choose to participate in their local healthcare coalitions, which provide an opportunity to share resources and expertise in developing an emergency plan and also can provide support during an emergency.

These regulations are effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Health care providers and suppliers affected by this rule must comply and implement all regulations one year after the effective date.

CMS Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Rule

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