Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-37-.11 - Disaster Preparedness
(1) Every hospice must have a current
disaster preparedness plan that addresses potential situations where services
to patients may be disrupted and outlines appropriate courses of action in the
event a local or widespread disaster occurs including communications with
patients and their families and emergency management agencies.
(2) The disaster preparedness plan must
include at a minimum plan for the following emergency situations:
(a) Local and widespread severe weather
emergencies or natural disasters, such as floods, ice or snowstorms, tornados,
hurricanes, and earthquakes;
(b)
Interruption of service of utilities, including water, gas, or electricity,
either within the facility or patients' homes or within a local or widespread
area; and
(c) Coordination of
continued care in the event of an emergency evacuation of the
area.
(3) If the hospice
offers residential and/or inpatient services, in addition to the procedures
specified in paragraph (2) of this rule, the plan must also include:
(a) Fire safety and evacuation procedures and
procedures for the provision of emergency power, heat, air conditioning, food,
and water; and
(b) Plans for the
emergency transport or relocation of all or a portion of the hospice patients,
should it be necessary, in vehicles appropriate to the patients' conditions
when possible, including written agreements with any facilities which have
agreed to receive the hospice's patients in such situations, and notification
of the patients' representatives.
(4) The hospice must have plans to ensure
sufficient staffing and supplies to maintain safe patient care during the
emergency situation.
(5) The plan
must be reviewed and revised annually, as appropriate, including any related
written agreements.
(6) Disaster
preparedness plans for hospice care facilities must be rehearsed at least
annually. Rehearsals must be documented to include staff and patient
participants, a summary of any problems identified, and the effectiveness of
the rehearsal. In the event an actual disaster occurs in any given year, the
hospice may substitute the actual disaster's response in place of that year's
rehearsal.
(7) Hospices must
include emergency management agencies in the development and maintenance of
their disaster preparedness plans and also provide copies of such plans to
those agencies as requested.
(8)
The Department may suspend any requirements of these rules and the enforcement
of any rules where the Governor of the State of Georgia has declared that a
state of emergency or disaster exists as a result of a public health
emergency.
Notes
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