Description

Emergencies may strike at any time and with no warning. They come in all shapes and sizes. Today it must be a priority for facilities to ensure adequate emergency preparation. CMS issued QSO-21-15 providing comprehensive update of Appendix Z for the Federal Emergency Preparedness requirements. CMS expanded the surveyor guidance on planning for emerging infectious diseases, including lessons learned, best practices and planning bearing in mind the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Some of the other updated guidance on the following issues: •Updated considerations of risk assessment •Staffing for emergencies and for surge •On-going monitoring of CDC and other public health agencies, which may issue event-specific guidance and recommendations to healthcare workers during emergencies •Expanded surveyor guidance to ensure Life Safety Code and health surveyors communicate/collaborate surrounding potential deficiencies for alternate source energy including the use of portable generators •Clarified expectations surrounding documentation of the emergency program. •Updated practices related to reporting of facility needs, facility’s ability to provide assistance and occupancy •Increasing the flexibility for the drill/ exercise requirement so that one of the two annually required testing exercises may be an exercise of the facility’s choice •Provided clarifications related to testing exercise exemptions when a provider/supplier experiences an actual emergency event. Objectives: 1.Discuss the Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers 2.Review the recently revised Appendix Z and the expectations for facility compliance. 3.Discuss developing staff training and effective, efficient emergency response training and exercises.

Click link for more information https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:573ec661-6b29-39f9-9f05-43b89a8d735a