Healthcare Coalitions (HCCs) should be an accessible source of preparedness and response best practices for newly engaged healthcare providers as they adapt to the new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements .
Who's In The Healthcare Coalition?
There are 17 Medicare and Medicaid provider and supplier types as defined by the Centers for for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Some of those providers include:
Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals
Hospitals
Hospices & Home Health
Hospices
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Surgical
Intermediate Care for Intellectual Disabilities
Disabilities
Transplant Centers & Organ Procurement Organizations
Transplant
Religious Nonmedical Healthcare Institutions
Religious
Clinics & Public Health Organizations
Clinics
Outpatient Rehab Facilities
Outpatient
Long Term Care Facilities
Long Term
Psychiatric Treamtment Facilities
Psychiatric
Rural Health Clinics
Rural
Outpatient Rehab Facilities
Rehab
Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals
Hospice & Home Health
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Int. Care for Intellectual Disabilities
Transplant Ctrs & Organ Procurement Orgs
Religious Nonmedical Healthcare
Clinics & Public Health Orgs
Outpatient Rehab Facilities
Long Term Care Facilities
Psychiatric Treamtment Facilities
Rural Health Clinics
Outpatient Rehab Facilities
About Healthcare Coalitions
Although healthcare coalitions (HCCs) (updated January 5, 2017) themselves are not included in the 17 provider and supplier types covered under the CMS Emergency Preparedness (EP) Rule, the rule offers HCCs and newly engaged providers a tremendous opportunity to achieve greater organizational and community effectiveness and sustainability.
HCCs should be an accessible source of preparedness and response best practices for newly engaged provider types as they adapt to the new requirements. They should also play a role in assisting members with closing planning gaps, as well as assuring integration with core coalition partners. HCCs have an opportunity to enhance their financial sustainability and revenue by providing contracted technical assistance to HCC members to meet the CMS conditions of participation.
Providers and suppliers participating in Medicare and Medicaid are required to meet four core elements (with specific requirements adjusted based on the individual characteristics of each provider and supplier).
SOURCE: CMS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RULE PUBLISHED OCTOBER 18, 2016 // UPDATED APRIL 21, 2017
Evacuation Vests for DADS Licensed Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities
During a facility evacuation the vests assist First Responders in identifying patients as a person from a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
To get additional information or request free evacuation vest for your facility, please submit a request here.
STRAC invites your organization to subscribe to the Alamo Regional Healthcare Coalition (ARHC) email Listserver.
If your facility is evacuating notify MEDCOM 210-233-5815.
Core Elements
PLANS
Develop an emergency plan based on a risk assessment and using an “all- hazards” approach, which will provide an integrated system for emergency planning that focuses on capacities and capabilities.
POLICIES
Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the emergency plan and risk assessment that are reviewed and updated at least annually. For hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities, the policies and procedures must address the provision of subsistence needs, such as food, water and medical supplies, for staff and residents, whether they evacuate or shelter in place.
ALERTS
Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with federal, state and local laws. Patient care must be coordinated within the facility, across healthcare providers, and with state and local public health departments and emergency management systems to protect patient health and safety in the event of a disaster.
TRAINING
Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial training in policies and procedures. Facility staff will have to demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures and provide training at least annually. Facilities must conduct drills and exercises to test the emergency plan or participate in an actual incident that tests the plan.
PLANS
Develop an emergency plan based on a risk assessment and using an “all- hazards” approach, which will provide an integrated system for emergency planning that focuses on capacities and capabilities.
POLICIES
Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the emergency plan and risk assessment that are reviewed and updated at least annually. For hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities, the policies and procedures must address the provision of subsistence needs, such as food, water and medical supplies, for staff and residents, whether they evacuate or shelter in place.
ALERTS
Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with federal, state and local laws. Patient care must be coordinated within the facility, across healthcare providers, and with state and local public health departments and emergency management systems to protect patient health and safety in the event of a disaster.
TRAINING
Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial training in policies and procedures. Facility staff will have to demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures and provide training at least annually. Facilities must conduct drills and exercises to test the emergency plan or participate in an actual incident that tests the plan.