Are you Prepared for an Emergency?
Health care providers and suppliers affected by the final rule Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers were required to comply and implement all regulations by November 15, 2017.
Per CMS, the emergency preparedness requirements will have a set of tags that will be used to cite non-compliance for all 17 provider and supplier types included in the final rule. The tags for emergency preparedness will be “E” Tags and accessible to both health and safety surveyors and LSC Surveyors.
State survey agencies will have discretion regarding whether the LSC or health and safety surveyors will conduct the emergency preparedness survey
Surveyors will…. Ask, Interview, Verify
Ask to see the written documentation of the facility’s risk assessments and associated strategies.
Interview the facility leadership and ask which hazards (e.g. natural, man-made, facility, geographic) were included in the facility’s risk assessment, why they were included and how the risk assessment was conducted.
Verify the risk-assessment is based on an all-hazards approach specific to the geographic location of the facility and encompasses potential hazards.
Click here to see the State Operations Manual Appendix Z Interpretive Guidance
The facility based and community-based risk assessment, utilizing an all-hazards approach must evaluate the facility’s ability to maintain continuity of operations and its ability to secure required supplies and resources during an emergency or natural disaster.
Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVAs) are systematic approaches to identifying hazards or risks that are most likely to have an impact on a healthcare facility and the surrounding community. The HVA describes the process by which a provider or supplier will assess and identify potential gaps in its emergency plan(s).
The facility’s emergency preparedness is plans as required under §483.73 should be integrated and compatible with the facility assessment.
Proactive Medical Review is Here to Help.
Contact your Proactive Consultant for assistance in reviewing or developing your Emergency Preparedness Plan, Facility Assessment, or to provide a mock survey.