CMS Regulatory Requirements for Emergency Preparedness Programs (W5016)-CMS Regulatory Requirements for Emergency Preparedness Programs Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this presentation, Laura Dixon, a healthcare professional with extensive experience in risk management and patient safety, discusses emergency preparedness planning, particularly in healthcare settings. Laura outlines the importance of having a comprehensive emergency preparedness program as mandated by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) through updates like the overhaul that included Appendix Z. The presentation details four core elements essential to this program: an emergency plan, policy and procedures, a communication plan, and training/testing.<br /><br />Laura explains the necessity of a multi-hazard approach tailored to an organization's location, patient population, and potential risks such as natural disasters, equipment failures, and infectious disease outbreaks. She underscores the benefits of engaging with healthcare coalitions and local emergency systems to maintain a coordinated response during disasters.<br /><br />An illustrative case study highlighted the effective evacuation of Brockton Hospital during a 10-alarm fire, emphasizing collaboration and preparedness as critical components in ensuring the safety of patients and staff.<br /><br />Dixon also touches on the challenges and strategies in staffing during emergencies, tackling issues like surge capacity, volunteer use, and maintaining operations amidst disruption.<br /><br />Training and testing interspersed with real-world simulations or tabletop exercises are critical to readying staff for efficient, compliant emergency response. Additionally, communication with all stakeholders, including staff, local authorities, and other facilities, must be maintained through primary and alternate methods.<br /><br />Finally, the webinar addresses requirements for maintaining essential systems like power and discusses policies for using volunteers, exempting up-to-date training requirements during sustained actual emergencies, and specific protocols for active shooter situations.

Keywords

emergency preparedness

healthcare settings

risk management

patient safety

CMS requirements

Appendix Z

emergency plan

communication plan

multi-hazard approach

healthcare coalitions

disaster response

evacuation case study

staff training

surge capacity

active shooter protocols