DOH Issues Winter Storm Season Guidance to Health Care Providers

(Dec. 17, 2024) The Department of Health (DOH) issued guidance last week to hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, nursing homes, adult care facilities (ACFs), home care, hospice, and dialysis centers in preparation for the winter storm season.

The communication urges all providers to review their Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans to ensure that procedures are up to date and understood by all staff, including all pertinent contact information for key staff.

Guidance is set forth for all providers, but additional provisions are specific to home care, hospice, and end-stage renal disease providers. The guidance also provides detail on critical Health Commerce System (HCS) applications used during emergencies and other information regarding cold weather injuries.

All providers should carefully review the document.