Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.27

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-5-7-.27 - Emergency Preparedness

(1) The hospital shall develop and implement a comprehensive plan to ensure that the safety and well being of patients are assured during emergency situations. The hospital shall participate in the Alabama Incident Management System (AIMS) and coordinate with federal, state, and local emergency preparedness and health authorities to identify likely risks for its area (e.g., natural disasters, bioterrorism threats, disruption of utilities such as water, sewer, electrical communications, fuel, nuclear accidents, industrial accidents, and other likely mass casualties, etc.) and to develop appropriate responses that will assure the safety and well being of patients.

(2) The following issues should be considered when developing the comprehensive emergency plans(s):

(a) The differing needs of each location where the hospital operates;

(b) The special needs of patient populations treated at the hospital (e.g., patients with psychiatric diagnosis, patients on special diets, newborns, etc.);

(c) Security of patients and walk-in patients;

(d) Security of supplies from misappropriation;

(e) Pharmaceuticals, food, other supplies and equipment that may be needed during emergency/disaster situations;

(f) Communication to external entities if telephones and computers are not operating or become overloaded (e.g., ham radio operators, community officials, other healthcare facilities if transfer of patients is necessary, etc.);

(g) Communication among staff within the hospital itself;

(h) Qualifications and training needed by personnel, including healthcare staff, security staff, and maintenance staff, to implement and carry out emergency procedures;

(i) Identification, availability and notification of personnel that are needed to implement and carry out the hospital's emergency plans;

(j) Identification of community resources, including lines of communication and names and contact information for community emergency preparedness coordinators and responders;

(k) Provisions if gas, water, electricity supply is shut off to the community;

(l) Transfer or discharge of patients to home, other healthcare settings, or other hospitals;

(m) Transfer of patients with hospital equipment to another hospital or healthcare setting; and

(n) Methods to evaluate repairs needed and to secure various likely materials and supplies to effectuate repairs.

(3) The hospital shall work cooperatively with federal, state and local emergency preparedness agencies and officials in order to identify likely risks to the community (e.g., natural disasters, mass casualties, terrorist acts, etc.) to anticipate demands and resources needed by the hospital emergency services, and to develop plans, methods and coordinating networks to address those anticipated needs.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.27

New Rule: Filed November 18, 1994; effective December 23, 1994. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 24, 2012; effective September 28, 2012.

Rules 420-5-7-.28, Obstetrics And Newborn and 420-5-7-.15, Utilization Review were repealed as precertification filed August 24, 2012; effective September 28, 2012. See history below:

Author: W.T. Geary, Jr., M.D., Carter Sims

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-21-20, et seq.