How robust is your practice's emergency planning and disaster preparedness?

Effective Nov. 15, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule on Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers applies to all 17 provider and supplier types.

This rule was established to ensure that adequate preparation and planning is in place for either a man-made or natural disaster. If your facility participates in the Medicare or Medicaid program, Emergency Preparedness (EP) rule compliance is required.

Requirements

Per CMS there are four provisions — risk assessment and planning, policies and procedures, communication plan and training and testing program — that you are required to comply with as part of your emergency preparedness plan.

1. Risk assessment and planning
   1. Develop an emergency plan based on a risk assessment. FEMA offers a risk assessment table for calculating an overall hazard rating for assets or operations.
   2. Perform risk assessment using an “all-hazards” approach, focusing on capacities and capabilities. As defined, “an all-hazards approach is an integrated approach to emergency preparedness planning that focuses on capacities and capabilities that are critical to preparedness for a full spectrum of emergencies or disasters, including internal emergencies and a man-made emergency (or both) or natural disaster. This approach is specific to the location of the provider or supplier and considers the particular type of hazards most likely to occur in their areas. These may include, but are not limited to, care-related emergencies, equipment and power failures, interruptions in communications, including cyber-attacks, loss of a portion or all of a facility, and interruptions in the normal supply of essentials such as water and food.“
   3. Update emergency plan at least annually.