Your Disaster Recovery/Emergency Plan must meet certain legal requirements.
- The plan must cover both internal and external emergencies COMAR 10.07.08.22. See a comprehensive listing of specific disasters for which to prepare and tips on how to prepare.
- For major disasters, the plan should also cover how you and your staff will interface with local emergency services and local hospitals. COMAR 10.07.08.22
- The plan must be in writing. COMAR 10.07.02.24
- All staff must rehearse the plan at least once per year. The plan must also be part of staff orientations and in-service training. You must keep a record of the dates of these trainings, the content of the trainings and which staff participated. COMAR 10.07.02.24
|
ALERT! The Office of Health Care Quality is asking for comments on proposed regulations on Emergency Preparedness by October 27, 2007. Your disaster recovery plan will need to meet the requirement of the final regulations. Here is a chance to comment. Even if you do not comment, it will be important to follow the development of these regulations. |
In addition, see the model polices for
other legal requirements specific to certain types of emergencies or
disasters.
Questions to ask yourself about your “Disaster Preparation” plan
- When was the emergency plan last exercised?
- Do you have evacuation procedures? Transportation arrangement if the disaster is broader than just your facility?
- How do you notify residents if an evacuation is necessary?
- How are residents with disabilities evacuated safely?
- How are disaster kits handled for residents and staff?
- How are family members contacted in case of an emergency?
- Do you teach lessons on preparedness to residents and staff?
- What is the percentage of staff members who are trained in basic and advanced first aid?
- Is there an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) clearly marked and readily available? What is the percentage of staff members who are trained to use it?
- In case of power failure, do you have an emergency power source or back-up generator?
- What transportation for residents who need medical attention can be arranged in a disaster? Do staff know about the options?
- Do you have an off-site backup of key records such as medication requirements and family contacts for residents?
- Do staff have cell phones? Is there a way to contact the administrator 24 hours a day/every day? Does every staff person know the number?
Source: The questions list was adapted from a consumer–oriented website called www.assistedlivingonline.org by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network.
| Source: Legal Aid Bureau’s Maryland Legal Assistance Network, in partnership with the Senior Legal Helpline, and the Assisted Living Project the under a grant from the Maryland Department on Aging to the Legal Aid Bureau |
Date last reviewed (no legal content): 10/15//07 (MLAN/DL/AC) |