THIS IS WHY
On September 8, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Federal Register published the final rule “Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers”. The regulation went into effect on November 15, 2016. Facilities must comply and implement all regulations by November 15, 2017, one (1) year after the effective date.
The purpose of this rule is to establish national emergency preparedness requirements to ensure adequate planning for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordination with federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems:
- Providers must be in compliance with Emergency Preparedness regulations to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid program.
- These new, detailed requirements apply to hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and a total of 17 provider and supplier types. (NOTE: While assisted living facilities are not bound by the federal requirements, developing and maintaining a comprehensive program is certainly a best practice.)
Your EPP needs to meet these NEW and DETAILED regulatory and accreditation requirements and should be consistent with current best practices, taking into account your ability to operationalize these plans and keep your patients safe.
Your EPP needs to meet the four (4) core elements of the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid, summarized below.
1. Annual Risk Assessment and Emergency Planning
2. Communication Plan
3. Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures that must be maintained and, at a minimum, reviewed annually
4. Training and Testing, complying with Federal and State regulations.
THIS IS HOW
RPA partners with healthcare organizations to develop a comprehensive EPP that includes planning, training and testing. Effective programs ultimately reduce risk, enhance preparedness and mitigate loss and liability.
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For corporate groups, development of a corporate-wide Emergency Preparedness Program (EPP) Best Practices Guide, including a customizable Emergency Operations Plan (electronically with guidance tools) including:
- Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) & Mitigation Plan
- Disaster Plan Infrastructure
- Full Building Evacuation Plan
- Influx of Patients / Surge Capacity Plan
- Specific Emergency Procedures
- Recovery Plan / Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
- Emergency Resources & Listings
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Implementation of the EPP:
- Corporate implementation via leadership training
- Facility implementation via either workshop or webinar
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Off-site Plan Reviews / Gap Analysis
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Optional Support Services:
- On-site Support
- Disaster Exercises/Drills
- Educational seminars, webinars
- Customized programs
- RPA Navigator Technology Platform
EPP Review with Completion of HVA Brochure for Hospitals
