An effective response to emergencies requires plans with supporting policies and procedures. These policies must be in agreement with the Emergency Plan and the Communication Plan. According to the
CFR, these policies and procedures should cover:
- The provision of subsistence needs for staff and residents, whether they evacuate or shelter in place, which includes but is not limited to:
- Food, water, medical, and pharmaceutical supplies
- Alternate sources of energy to maintain, including:
- Temperatures to protect resident health and safety and for the safe and sanitary storage of provisions
- Emergency lighting
- Fire detection, extinguishing, and alarm systems
- Sewage and waste disposal
- A system to track the location of on-duty staff and sheltered residents in the laboratory or healthcare facility's care during and after an emergency.
- If on-duty staff and sheltered residents are relocated during the emergency, the laboratory or facility must document the specific name and location of the receiving facility or other location.
- Safe evacuation from the laboratory or facility, which includes:
- Consideration of care and treatment needs of evacuees
- Staff responsibilities
- Transportation
- Identification of evacuation location(s)
- Primary and alternate means of communication with external sources of assistance
- A means to shelter in place for residents, staff, and volunteers who remain in the laboratory or facility.
- A system of medical documentation that preserves resident information, protects the confidentiality of resident information, and secures and maintains the availability of records.
- The use of volunteers in an emergency or 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.
- The development of arrangements with other facilities and providers to receive residents in the event of limitations or cessation of operations to maintain the continuity of services to residents.
- The role of the facility under a waiver declared by the Secretary, in accordance with section 1135 of the Act, in the provision of care and treatment at an alternate care site identified by emergency management officials.
