La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-5405

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-5405 - Emergency Preparedness

A. The CRC shall have a written emergency preparedness plan to:

1. maintain continuity of the center's operations in preparation for, during and after an emergency or disaster;

2. manage the consequences of all disasters or emergencies that disrupt the center's ability to render care and treatment, or threaten the lives or safety of the clients; and

3. comply with recently published/current state and federal infection control guidelines in preparation for, during, and after a public health emergency or disaster.

B. The CRC shall:

1. post exit diagrams describing how to clear the building safely and in a timely manner;

2. have a clearly labeled and legible master floor plan(s) that indicates:

a. the areas in the facility that are to be used by clients as shelter or safe zones during emergencies;

b. the location of emergency power outlets and whether they are powered;

c. the locations of posted, accessible, emergency information; and

d. what will be powered by emergency generator(s), if applicable;

3. train its employees in emergency or disaster preparedness. Training shall include orientation, ongoing training and participation in planned drills for all personnel.

C. The CRC's emergency preparedness plan shall include the following information, at a minimum

1. if the center evacuates, the plan shall include:

a. provisions for the evacuation of each client and delivery of essential services to each client;

b. the center's method of notifying the client's family or caregiver, if applicable, including:

i. the date and approximate time that the facility or client is evacuating;

ii. the place or location to which the client(s) is evacuating which includes the name, address and telephone number; and

iii. a telephone number that the family or responsible representative may call for information regarding the client's evacuation;

c. provisions for ensuring that supplies, medications, clothing and a copy of the treatment plan are sent with the client, if the client is evacuated;

d. the procedure or methods that will be used to ensure that identification accompanies the client including:

i. current and active diagnosis;

ii. medication, including dosage and times administered;

iii. allergies;

iv. special dietary needs or restrictions; and

v. next of kin, including contact information if applicable;

e. transportation or arrangements for transportation for an evacuation;

2. provisions for staff to maintain continuity of care during an emergency as well as for distribution and assignment of responsibilities and functions;

3. the delivery of essential care and services to clients who are housed in the facility or by the facility at another location, during an emergency or disaster;

4. the determination as to when the facility will shelter in place and when the facility will evacuate for a disaster or emergency and the conditions that guide these determinations in accordance with local or parish OSHEP;

5. if the center shelters in place, provisions for seven days of necessary supplies to be provided by the center prior to the emergency, including drinking water or fluids and non-perishable food.

D. The center shall:

1. follow and execute its emergency preparedness plan in the event of the occurrence of a declared disaster or other emergency;

2. if the state, parish or local OHSEP orders a mandatory evacuation of the parish or the area in which the agency is serving, shall ensure that all clients are evacuated according to the facility's emergency preparedness plan;

3. not abandon a client during a disaster or emergency;

4. review and update its emergency preparedness plan at least once a year;

5. cooperate with the department and with the local or parish OH SEP in the event of an emergency or disaster and shall provide information as requested;

6. monitor weather warnings and watches as well as evacuation order from local and state emergency preparedness officials;

7. upon request by the department, submit a copy of its emergency preparedness plan for review;

8. upon request by the department, submit a written summary attesting to how the plan was followed and executed to include, at a minimum:

a. pertinent plan provisions and how the plan was followed and executed;

b. plan provisions that were not followed;

c. reasons and mitigating circumstances for failure to follow and execute certain plan provisions;

d. contingency arrangements made for those plan provisions not followed; and

e. a list of all injuries and deaths of clients that occurred during execution of the plan, evacuation or temporary relocation including the date, time, causes and circumstances of the injuries and deaths.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-5405

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 41:124 (January 2015), Amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 47475 (4/1/2021).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2180.14.