Rule 290-2-29-.26 - Disaster Preparedness(1) The maternity home shall prepare for potential emergency situations that may affect the care of residents by the development of an effective disaster preparedness plan that identifies emergency situations and outlines an appropriate course of action. The home must review and revise the plan annually, as appropriate, including any related written agreements.(2) The disaster preparedness plan shall include at a minimum plans for the following emergency situations: (a) Local and widespread weather emergencies or natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, ice or snow storms, or floods;(b) Manmade disasters such as acts of terrorism and hazardous materials spills;(c) Unanticipated interruption of service of utilities, including water, gas, or electricity, either within the home or within a local or widespread area;(d) Loss of heat or air conditioning;(e) Fire, explosion, or other physical damage to the home;(f) Pandemics or other situations where the community's need for services exceeds the availability of beds and services regularly offered by the home.(3) There shall be plans to ensure sufficient staffing and supplies to provide room, board and watchful oversight during an emergency situation.(4) There shall be plans for the emergency transport or relocation of all residents, should it be necessary, in vehicles appropriate to the residents' needs. Additionally, there shall be written agreements with any facilities which have agreed to receive the home's residents in emergency situations.(5) The home shall document participation of all areas of the home in quarterly fire drills.(6) In addition to fire drills, the home shall have its staff rehearse portions of the disaster preparedness plan, with a minimum of two (2) rehearsals each calendar year either in response to an emergency or through planned drills, with coordination of the drills with the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) whenever possible.(7) The plan shall include the notification to the Department of the emergency situation as required by these rules and notification of the lawful custodians of the residents' whereabouts and condition.(8) The home shall provide a copy of the internal disaster preparedness plan to the local EMA and shall include the local EMA in development of the home's plan for the management of external disasters to conform to applicable local codes.(9) The home's disaster preparedness plan shall be made available to the Department for inspection upon request.(10) The Department may suspend any requirements of these rules and the enforcement of any rules where the Governor of the State of Georgia has declared a public health emergency.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 290-2-29-.26
O.C.G.A. Secs. 49-5-3, 49-5-8.
Original Rule entitled "Disaster Preparedness" adopted. F. Dec. 15, 2011; eff. Jan. 4, 2012.