CMS Issues Guidance on Emergency Preparedness

CMS has issued a revised checklist on emergency preparedness. The tasks outlined in the checklist are extensive and cover such areas as development of evacuation plans, hazard analysis and vulnerability, resident identification in an emergency and staff training and communication. New tasks including completion of specific emergency templates and collaboration with emergency management agencies are also highlighted. The memo includes information on the S&C Emergency Preparedness website and the tools, checklists and reports, that were developed in collaboration with the emergency preparedness stakeholder group, to assist State Agencies (SAs) and providers. It also includes Frequently Asked Questions on use of an ‘all hazards’ approach to address allowable deviations from survey and certification requirements during a declared public health emergency.

Contact: Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832