EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING

Crucial for hospitals and health systems is to have in place an emergency preparedness plan (EOP).

Now, more than ever, it is important to make sure your Emergency Preparedness Plan meets new requirements and can respond appropriately when emergencies strike. With new CMS requirements for Emergency Preparedness now in effect, all Medicare and Medicaid provides must refine their emergency preparedness guidelines in order to maintain compliance.

EOPs are required plans that detail how facilities respond to and recover from a variety of emergency situations. The plans provide structure and process that organizations then employ in response to an event. EOPs also highlight recovery protocols.

The Joint Commission’s Emergency Management Standards highlight six critical components for EOP’s:

• Communications;
• Resources and Assets;
• Safety and Security;
• Staff Responsibilities;
• Utilities; and
• Clinical Support Activities.