Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-16-.04 - Content of Plan

(1) The plan shall contain a section in which the unique needs of the facility's residents are identified and assessed.

(2) The plan shall contain a section which identifies the emergency situations to be addressed by the plan. As a minimum the following emergency situations shall be addressed:

(a) fire;

(b) explosion;

(c) unanticipated interruption of each utility used by the facility; i.e., electricity, gas, other fuel, water, etc.;

(d) loss of air conditioning or heat; and

(e) damage to physical plant resulting from severe weather, i.e., tornadoes, ice or snowstorms, etc. Other emergencies or hazards may be included in the plan.

(3) For each of the emergencies identified in subsection (2) above, the plan shall include a set of emergency guidelines or procedures. A standardized format should be used throughout the plan that clearly describes how the emergency procedures should be carried out. The emergency procedures should answer the questions of "who, what, when, where, and how", and allow the facility to be ready to act effectively and efficiently in an emergency situation.

(4) The written procedures referred to in subsection (3) above should address as a minimum: assignment of responsibility to staff members; care of the residents; notification of attending physicians and other persons responsible for the resident; arrangements for transportation and hospitalization; availability of appropriate records; alternate living arrangements; and emergency energy sources.

(5) The plan must contain a section that outlines the frequency of rehearsal and the procedures to be followed during rehearsal. The rehearsal should be as realistic as possible and designed to check the following:

(a) knowledge of facility staff regarding their responsibility under the plan;

(b) the reliability of individuals or community agencies or services that are listed in the plan as resources to be called upon in the event of an emergency. However, the quest for realism in the rehearsal of the plan should not require the actual movement of non-ambulatory patients/residents nor those whose physical or mental condition would be aggravated by a move.

(6) When portions of the facility's plan are contingent on services or resources of another agency, facility, or institution, the facility shall execute a written agreement with the other party or parties acknowledging their participation in the plan. Such agreement(s) shall be made a part of the plan.

(7) Long-term care facilities shall include in the plan a pandemic plan for influenza and other infectious diseases which conforms to CDC standards and contains the following minimum elements:

(a) Protocols for surveillance and detection of epidemic and pandemic diseases in residents and staff;

(b) A communication plan for sharing information with public health authorities, residents, residents' representatives or their legal surrogates, and staff;

(c) An education and training plan for residents and staff regarding infection control protocols;

(d) An infection control plan that addresses visitation, cohorting measures, sick leave and return-to-work policies, and testing and immunization policies; and

(e) A surge capacity plan that addresses protocols for contingency staffing and supply shortages.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-16-.04

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-7-3(c), 31-7-12.5.

Original Rule entitled "Content of Plan" adopted. F. Sep. 9, 2013; eff. Sept. 29, 2013. Amended: F. Oct. 19, 2020; eff. Nov. 8, 2020.