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CMS Finalizes Disaster Preparedness Conditions of Participation
Hospitals and other providers must comply by Nov. 15, 2017

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule establishing emergency preparedness requirements for facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid. The final rule requires these providers and suppliers to meet four standards:

Emergency plan: Based on a risk assessment, develop an emergency plan using an all-hazards approach focusing on capacities and capabilities that are critical to preparedness for a full spectrum of emergencies or disasters specific to the location of a provider or supplier.

Policies and procedures: Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the plan and risk assessment.

Communication plan: Develop and maintain a communication plan that complies with federal, state and local laws. Patient care must be well-coordinated within the facility, across health care providers, and with public health departments and emergency management agencies.

Training and testing program: Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial and annual trainings, and conduct drills and exercises or participate in an actual incident that tests the plan.

CHA is pleased that, in response to hospital concerns outlined in the attached comment letter, CMS provided flexibility in locating new generators and will not require relocation of existing generators. Further, CMS will not require increased hours of testing as it had originally proposed, acknowledging that no evidence exists that such testing would improve facilities’ ability to respond to a disaster.

CHA is reviewing the final rule and will provide more information in the coming weeks. The rule becomes effective Nov. 16; hospitals will have one year to become compliant.

CHA Comment Letter

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