Disaster Preparedness

(1) Emergency Planning With Local Government Authorities. (a) All home care organizations shall establish and maintain communications with the county Emergency Management Agency. This includes the provision of the information and procedures that are needed for the local comprehensive emergency plan. The home care organizations shall cooperate, to the extent possible, in area disaster drills and local emergency situations. (b) 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. (c) A file of documents demonstrating communications and cooperation with the local agency must be maintained. (2) Emergency Preparedness Plan. All agencies shall establish procedures for emergency response to provide continued service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to the patient base on service interruption for apnea monitors, ventilators, suction pumps and oxygen. The agency shall have written policies and procedures for back-up systems for equipment or power failure for apnea monitors, ventilators, suction pumps and oxygen.