Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-40-.15 - Disaster Preparedness

The hospital shall prepare for potential emergency situations that may affect patient care by the development of an effective disaster preparedness plan that identifies emergency situations and outlines an appropriate course of action. The plan must be reviewed and revised annually, as appropriate, including any related written agreements.

(a) The disaster preparedness plan shall include at a minimum plans for the following emergency situations:

1. Local and widespread weather emergencies or natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, ice or snowstorms, or floods;

2. Manmade disasters such as acts of terrorism and hazardous materials spills;

3. Unanticipated interruption of service of utilities, including water, gas, or electricity, either within the facility or within a local or widespread area;

4. Loss of heat or air conditioning;

5. Fire, explosion, or other physical damage to the hospital; and

6. Pandemics or other situations where the community's need for services exceeds the availability of beds and services regularly offered by the hospital.

(b) There shall be plans to ensure sufficient staffing and supplies to maintain safe patient care during the emergency situation.

(c) There shall be plans for the emergency transport or relocation of all or a portion of the hospital patients, should it be necessary, in vehicles appropriate to the patient's condition(s) when possible, including written agreements with any facilities which have agreed to receive the hospital's patients in these situations.

(d) The hospital shall document participation of all areas of the hospital in quarterly fire drills.

(e) In addition to fire drills, the hospital shall have its staff rehearse portions of the disaster preparedness plan, with a minimum of two (2) rehearsals each calendar year either in response to an emergency or through planned drills, with coordination of the drills with the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) whenever possible.

(f) The plan shall include the notification to the Department of the emergency situation as required by these rules.

(g) The hospital shall provide a copy of the internal disaster preparedness plan to the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and shall include the local EMA in development of the hospital's plan for the management of external disasters.

(h) The hospital's disaster preparedness plan shall be made available to the Department for inspection upon request.

(i) The Department may suspend any requirements of these rules and the enforcement of any rules where the Governor of the State of Georgia has declared a public health emergency.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-40-.15

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-7-2.1, 31-7-3 and 31-12-2.1.

Original Rule entitled "Disaster Preparedness" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2013; eff. Mar. 12, 2013.