Emergency Preparedness

Hurricane season is upon us.  The flu season is looming, and COVID-19 continues.  In the midst of all of this, hospice and home health organizations need to ensure their emergency preparedness policies and procedures are reviewed and updated at least every two years.  Within recent years, the healthcare industry has faced multiple changes—COVID related, emerging infectious diseases, and natural disasters not seen in decades.  State and accreditation organization surveyors are looking closely for evidence of up to date emergency preparedness.  A few key areas for examination are:

• Risk assessment of emerging infectious diseases affecting your organization’s community;
• Personnel record documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status; and
• Ensuring your patients have an individualized emergency plan appropriate to their unique needs.
  
  Stay well and stay safe, friends.