The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently held a call on the emergency preparedness rule.
The slides for the call can be found here.
The implementation date of the rule is Nov. 15, 2017, and by that time, CMS says providers should have done the following:
- Staff training requirements
- Participation in the full-scale exercise that is community-based; if that is not available, an individual facility-based exercise
- And an addition exercise that may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- A second full scale exercise that is individual, facility-based
- A table top exercise that includes a group discussion led by a facilitator, using a narrated, clinically-relevant emergency scenario, and a set of problem statements, directed messages, or prepared questions designed to challenge an emergency plan.
Non-compliance will result in survey deficiencies via the established survey processes. There are currently no interpretive guidelines issued, and CMS has advised providers NOT to wait for the sub-regulatory guidance in order to become compliant.
CMS recorded the call, which will be available in the next few weeks.
Craig Camidge, executive director for the Near Southwest Preparedness Alliance in southwest Virginia, spoke this week to attendees at the Continuing Care Conference about preparation for the new requirements.
Several resources about the emergency preparedness rule information can be found on this page of our website.
