Section R432-750-29 - Emergency and Disaster(1) The licensee is responsible for the safety and well-being of patients in the event of an emergency or disaster.(2) The licensee and the administrator are responsible to develop plans coordinated with the state and local emergency disaster authorities to respond to potential emergencies and disasters.(a) The plan shall outline the protection or evacuation of any patients and include arrangements for staff response, or provisions of additional staff to ensure the safety of any patient with physical or mental limitations.(b) Emergencies and disasters include fire, severe weather, missing patients, interruption of public utilities, explosion, bomb threat, earthquake, flood, windstorm, epidemic, or mass casualty.(c) The emergency and disaster response plan shall be in writing and distributed or made available to any facility staff and patients to assure prompt and efficient implementation.(d) The licensee and the administrator shall review and update the plan as necessary to conform with local emergency plans. The plan shall be available for review by the department.(3) The licensee's emergency and disaster response plans shall address the following: (a) the names of the person in charge and any person with decision-making authority;(b) the name of any person to be notified in an emergency in order of priority;(c) the name and telephone number of emergency medical personnel, fire department, paramedics, ambulance service, police, and other appropriate agencies;(d) instructions on how to contain a fire and how to use the facility alarm systems;(e) assignment of personnel to specific tasks during an emergency;(f) the procedure to evacuate and transport patients and staff to a safe place within the hospice or to other prearranged locations;(g) instructions on how to recruit additional help, supplies, and equipment to meet patient needs after an emergency or disaster;(h) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants by alternate means;(i) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants when additional individuals are housed in the hospice during an emergency;(j) delivery of essential care and services to facility occupants when personnel are reduced by an emergency; and(k) maintenance of safe ambient air temperatures within the facility. (i) Emergency heating shall have approval of the local fire department.(ii) Ambient air temperatures of 58 degrees F. or below may constitute an imminent danger to the health and safety of the patients in the hospice. The person in charge shall take immediate action in the best interests of the patients; and(iii) The licensee shall have, and be capable of implementing, contingency plans regarding excessively high ambient air temperatures within the hospice that may exacerbate the medical condition of patients.(4) Personnel and patients shall receive instruction and training in accordance with the plans to respond appropriately in an emergency. The licensee shall:(a) annually review the procedures with existing staff and patients;(b) hold simulated disaster drills semi-annually; and(c) document any drills, including date, participants, problems encountered, and the ability of each patient to evacuate.(5) The administrator shall be in charge during an emergency. If not on the premises, the administrator shall make every effort to report to the hospice, relieve subordinates, and take charge.(6) Each inpatient hospice licensee shall provide in-house any equipment and supplies required in an emergency including emergency lighting, heating equipment, food, potable water, extra blankets, a first aid kit, and a radio.(7) The licensee shall post the following information in appropriate locations throughout the facility: (a) the name of the person in charge and names and telephone numbers of emergency medical personnel, agencies, and appropriate communication and emergency transport systems; and(b) evacuation routes, location of fire alarm boxes, and fire extinguishers.(8) The licensee shall post emergency telephone numbers at each nursing station.(9) Fire drills and fire drill documentation shall be in accordance with Rule R710-4, State of Utah Fire Prevention Board.Utah Admin. Code R432-750-29
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-10, effective 5/5/2023