Fla. Admin. Code R. 59A-38.018

Current through Reg. 50, No. 235-239, December 10, 2024

Section 59A-38.018 - Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

(1) Pursuant to section 400.610(1)(b), F.S., each hospice shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive emergency management plan, hereinafter referred to as "the plan, " in accordance with the "Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Format for Hospices, " DOEA Form H-001, March 2007, which is incorporated by reference. This document is available from the Agency for Health Care Administration, Licensed Home Health Programs Unit, 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop 34, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 or the agency Web site at http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/ruleforms/DOEA-Form-H-001.pdf, and shall be included as part of the hospice's comprehensive emergency management plan.

(2) The plan shall be submitted electronically for review to the local county health department in each county that the hospice is licensed to serve. Any method other than electronic submission of the form shall be expressly approved by the local county health department.

(3) The hospice shall report changes in the after-hours emergency telephone number and address of those staff who are coordinating the hospice's emergency response to the local emergency management agency and county health department. The telephone numbers must include all numbers where the coordinating staff can be contacted outside the hospice's regular office hours. All hospices must report these changes, whether the plan has been previously reviewed or not, as defined in subsection (2) above.

(4) Upon a change of ownership, the new owner shall submit a new plan identifying any substantive changes, including facility renovations and changes noted in subsection (3) above. Those hospices which previously have had the plan reviewed by the local county health department as defined in subsection (2) above, shall report any substantive changes to the reviewing entity.

(5) The plan shall describe:

(a) Procedures to ensure preparation of hospice patients for potential or imminent emergencies and disasters.

(b) Procedures for annual review of the plan and for the governing body to incorporate substantive changes to the plan.

(6) In the event of an emergency or disaster, the hospice shall implement the hospice's plan in accordance with section 400.610, F.S.

(7) On admission, each hospice patient and, where applicable, home caregiver shall be informed of the hospice plan and of the special-needs registry maintained by the local emergency management agency, pursuant to section 252.355, F.S. The hospice shall document in the patient's file if:

(a) The patient plans to evacuate the home or the hospice facility;

(b) The caregiver can take responsibility for services normally provided by the hospice during the emergency or disaster; or

(c) The hospice needs to arrange for alternative caregiver services for the patient.

(8) Upon imminent threat of an emergency or disaster, the hospice shall confirm each patient's plan during and immediately following an emergency or disaster.

(9) When the hospice is unable to provide services during an emergency or disaster, the hospice shall make all reasonable efforts to inform, where applicable, those facility and home patients whose services will be interrupted during the emergency or disaster, including patients sheltering in place, and shall inform when services are anticipated to be restored.

(10) Each hospice shall contact each local emergency management agency in counties served by that hospice to determine procedures for registration of special-needs registrants as referenced in section 252.355, F.S.

(11) Upon admission of a patient, each hospice shall collect registration information for special-needs registrants who will require continuing care or services during a disaster or emergency, consistent with section 252.355, F.S. This registration information shall be submitted, when collected, to the local emergency management agency, or on a periodic basis as determined by the local emergency management agency.

(12) The hospice shall educate patients registered with the special-needs registry that services provided by the hospice in special-needs shelters shall meet the requirements in section 400.610(1)(b), F.S.

(13) The hospice shall maintain a current list of patients who are special-needs registrants, and shall forward this list to the local emergency management agency upon imminent threat of disaster or emergency and in accordance with the local emergency management agency procedures.

(14) Each hospice record for patients who are listed in the special-needs registry established pursuant to section 252.355, F.S., shall include a description of how care or services will be continued in the event of an emergency or disaster pursuant to section 400.610(1)(b), F.S. The hospice shall discuss the emergency provisions with the patient and the patient's caregiver, including where and how the patient is to evacuate, procedures for notifying the hospice in the event that the patient evacuates to a location other than the shelter identified in the patient record, and advance directives.

(15) The hospice shall maintain for each special-needs patient a list of client-specific medications, supplies, and equipment required for continuing care and service, should the patient be evacuated. If the hospice provides services to home patients, the hospice shall make arrangements to make the list of medications, supplies, and equipment available to each special-needs registrant in the event of an evacuation. The hospice shall notify the patient that he or she is responsible for maintaining a supply of medications in the home. The list shall include the names of all medications, dose, frequency, times, any other special considerations for administration, any allergies, names of physicians and telephone numbers, and name and telephone number of the patient's pharmacy. If the patient gives consent, the list may also include the patient's diagnosis.

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 59A-38.018

Rulemaking Authority 400.605, 400.610(1)(b) FS. Law Implemented 400.605, 400.610 FS.

New 8-6-02, Amended 4-24-07, Formerly 58A-2.026, 7-1-19.