S.C. Code Regs. § ch. 61, 61-125, 61-125.1400, 61-125.1401

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Subsection 61-125.1401 - Disaster Preparedness. (II)

A. All facilities shall develop, by contact and consultation with their county emergency preparedness agency, a written plan for actions to be taken in the event of a disaster and/or emergency evacuation. The plan shall be implemented as necessary and at the time of need. Prior to initial licensing and at the time of each license renewal, a completed form prescribed and furnished by the Department addressing specific components of the plan shall be included with each application submitted to the Department for license renewal. Additionally, in instances where applications include an increase in the licensed bed capacity, the plan shall be updated to address the proposed new total licensed bed capacity and an updated form shall be provided to the Department with the application. All staff members and volunteers shall be made familiar with this plan and instructed as to any required actions of the plan. A copy of the plan shall be available for inspection by the patient and/or responsible party and the Department upon request. The plan shall be reviewed and updated annually, and as appropriate. The facility shall conduct and document a rehearsal of the emergency and disaster evacuation plan at least annually and shall not require patient participation.

B. Evacuation is a temporary measure in order to evacuate patients from potentially hazardous and/or harmful circumstances and shall not exceed seven (7) calendar days. In the event evacuated patients are unable to return to the facility within seven (7) days due to damage to the facility or its components, the lack of electricity and/or water, or other similar reasons, the facility shall endeavor to assess each patient's current condition and identify each patient's current needs and preferences. Based on the resources available, the facility shall implement each patient's discharge plan. For patients needing assistance or support following discharge, the facility shall coordinate the transfer of the patients to their responsible parties or to appropriately licensed facilities capable of meeting the patients' needs.

C. The disaster and/or emergency evacuation plan shall include, but not be limited to:

1. A sheltering plan to include:

a. The licensed bed capacity and average occupancy rate;

b. Name, address and phone number of the sheltering facility(ies) to which the patients will be relocated during a disaster; and

c. A letter of agreement signed by an authorized representative of each sheltering facility which shall include: the number of relocated patients that can be accommodated; sleeping, feeding, and medication plans for the relocated patients; and provisions for accommodating relocated staff members and volunteers. The letter shall be updated with the sheltering facility at least every three (3) years and whenever significant changes occur. For those facilities located in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Georgetown, Horry, and Jasper counties, at least one (1) sheltering facility shall be located in a county other than these counties.

2. A transportation plan, to include agreements with entities for relocating patients, which addresses:

a. Number and type of vehicles required;

b. How and when the vehicles are to be obtained;

c. Who (by name or organization) will provide drivers;

d. Procedures for providing appropriate medical support, food, water, and medications during transportation and relocation based on the needs and number of the patients;

e. Estimated time to accomplish the relocation; and

f. Primary and secondary routes to be taken to the sheltering facility.

3. A staffing plan for the relocated patients, to include:

a. How care will be provided to the relocated patients, including the number and type of staff members that will accompany patients who are relocated;

b. Prearranged transportation arrangements to ensure staff members are relocated to the sheltering facility; and

c. Co-signed statement by an authorized representative of the sheltering facility if staffing is to be provided by the sheltering facility.

S.C. Code Regs. ch. 61, 61-125, 61-125.1400, 61-125.1401

Added by State Register Volume 43, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2019.