Disaster Preparedness

(1) Disaster Preparedness Policies and Procedures. (a) All licensed home care organizations shall develop, implement, and maintain a written emergency response policy and corresponding procedures to ensure the continuous provision of patient services as scheduled during a natural disaster, public health emergency, or other emergency event. The policy and procedures shall, at a minimum: 1. Contain the information needed to ensure compliance with the local comprehensive emergency plan; 2. Address contingency plans to address service interruptions and provisions for the continued operation or alternative arrangements for power-dependent medical equipment in the patient’s home. (b) Branch offices shall follow the policies and procedures established by the licensed home health agency of which they are a part. (2) Emergency Planning Coordination With Local Government Authorities. (a) All home care organizations shall establish and maintain communications with the county Emergency Management Agency in the county of their license. The home care organizations shall cooperate, to the extent possible, in area disaster drills and local emergency situations. (b) Branch offices may adopt and follow the disaster preparedness procedures established by the licensed home health organization of which they are a part. Branch offices who do so are not required to establish or maintain communications with the county Emergency Management Agency; however, they should collaborate with emergency management agencies when appropriate and as directed by the licensed home health organization. A branch office that develops its own disaster preparedness procedures must establish and maintain communications with the local county Emergency Management Agency. STANDARDS FOR HOME CARE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING HOME CHAPTER 0720-27 HEALTH SERVICES (c) Each home care organization shall conduct both the physical facility and community emergency drills as required in these regulations, even if the local Emergency Management Agency is unable to participate. (d) A file of documents demonstrating communications and cooperation with the local agency must be maintained.