Rule 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.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-37-.11
O.C.G.A. §§ 31-7-170et seq., 50-13-4.
Original Rule entitled "Disaster Preparedness" adopted. F. May 26, 2015; eff. June 15, 2015.Amended: F. Feb. 28, 2020; eff. Mar. 19, 2020.