Center for Medicare and Medicaid Emergency Preparedness Rule Update:

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.

The Golden Crescent Healthcare Coalition (GCHCC), which represents Trauma Service Area “S”, serves a six-county area to include:  Calhoun County, DeWitt County, Goliad County, Jackson County, Lavaca County, and Victoria County with a population of 178,334 and covering 5517 square miles. GCHCC was formed in 2012 with the mission of providing leadership, organization, and sustainability for the purpose of regional healthcare preparedness and response activities. The mission of the Golden Crescent Healthcare Coalition also includes building upon and augmenting individual healthcare organization preparedness and promoting ESF-8 activities such as situational awareness and resource coordination.

As defined by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), GCHCC general membership shall consist of representatives from the following four (4) core member facility types:

• Acute Care Facilities
• Emergency Medical Services
• Emergency Management Agencies
• Public Health Organizations

The GCHCC general membership may consist of representatives from the following non-core member facility types:

• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Clinics, Rehabilitations, and Therapy Centers
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers
• End-Stage Renal Disease Facilities
• Home Health Agencies
• Hospice
• Immediate Care Facility – Intellectual Disability
• Long-Term Care Facilities
• Primary Care Providers, including pediatric and women’s health care providers
• Programs for the All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
• Rural Health Care – FQHC
• Skilled Nursing Facilities

The GCHCC general membership may include but is not limited to representatives from the following additional non-core member organizations:

• Behavioral health services and organizations
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
• Infrastructure companies (e.g., utility and communications companies)
• Jurisdictional partners, including cities, counties, and tribes
• Local chapters of health care professional organizations (e.g., medical society, professional society, hospital association)
• Local public safety agencies (e.g., law enforcement and fire services)
• Non-governmental organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, voluntary organizations active in disasters, amateur radio operators, etc.)
• School and universities, including academic medical centers
• Support service providers (e.g., clinical laboratories, pharmacies, radiology, blood banks, poison control centers)

Representatives shall be from the above-listed entities within GCHCC defined boundaries who actively contribute to GCHCC strategic planning, identification of gaps and mitigation strategies, operational planning and response, information sharing, and resource coordination and management. Representatives should be involved in an aspect of regional medical preparedness for, response to, and recovery from a major-medical/public health event in the region, state, or nation.

The Coalition’s primary focus is to support the regional healthcare systems response capability and capacity for emergency management planning, preparedness and response. Some of the Healthcare Coalition specific areas of focus include: