Potential revisions to Emergency Plan Standards

1. Potential revisions to Emergency Plan Standards

2. Here is a broad rundown of possible additions to EC.4.10 and EC.4.20 based on a draft revision obtained by HCPro, Inc. These are not final revisions, and further changes may be forthcoming.

3. Under EC.4.10 (establishing emergency plans) • Hospitals must assess how long critical resources will last during a disaster and document this evaluation • If hospitals choose to temporarily close or discontinue service prior to an emergency, they must notify patients, staff, and local authorities • Emergency operations plans must address communications, resources, assets, safety, security, staffing, utilities, and clinical activities • Emergency operations plans must detail how hospitals will decide to shelter patients in place or close temporarily, and how patient transfers will occur • Emergency operations plans must describe how hospitals will increase response efforts if their infrastructure or the community’s infrastructure is compromised

4. Under EC.4.10 (establishing emergency plans) • Emergency operations plans must describe evacuation decision-making • Hospitals must define how they will communicate with staff, patients, families, outside authorities, and supply vendors during emergencies • Hospitals must handle communication needs for emergencies that extend 72 hours or longer • Hospitals must establish processes for handling hazardous materials and waste during disasters • Hospitals must set up processes to collaborate with healthcare facilities beyond the disaster area • Hospitals establish systems to receive and care for evacuees from other communities during a disaster • Hospitals must establish ways to handle resource needs for emergencies that extend 72 hours or longer

5. Under EC.4.10 (establishing emergency plans) • Hospitals must define who has authority to make security decisions during an emergency • Hospitals must establish internal security and safety operations that go into effect during an emergency • Hospitals must detail how they will interact with community security agencies • Hospitals must determine who is allowed in, through, and out of their buildings during an emergency, and how to control individual’s movement within the building • Hospitals must handle safety and security needs for emergencies that extend 72 hours or longer • Staff must receive training on their roles during an emergency • Hospitals must establish ways to handle staffing needs for emergencies that extend 72 hours or longer

6. Under EC.4.10 (establishing emergency plans) • Hospitals must identify alternative sources for fuel required for building operations • Hospitals must establish ways to handle utilities needs for emergencies that extend 72 hours or longer • Hospitals must establish ways to handle essential clinical needs of patients during an emergency, including patients from vulnerable populations (e.g., pediatric patients or patients with chronic illnesses) • Hospitals must establish processes to ensure patient hygiene and sanitation needs during an emergency • Hospitals must establish processes to handle mental health needs of patients • Hospitals must establish processes for managing mortuary services • Hospitals must handle clinical activity needs for emergencies that extend 72 hours or longer

7. Under EC.4.20 (testing emergency plans) • Hospitals must annually test at least two of the following six key functions: communication, safety, resources, staffing, clinical activities, and utilities • Hospitals must test these key functions under a series escalating conditions detailed in the proposal