Facilities must develop, maintain, and periodically review (at least every two years, or annually for long-term care facilities) a written emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with Federal, State, and local laws. The plan must address how the facility coordinates patient care internally, with other healthcare providers, and with state and local public health and emergency management agencies. Facilities in rural or remote areas with limited connectivity must include alternate communication methods in their plan. Surveyors will verify the existence of the plan, evidence of timely review, and leadership's understanding of collaboration requirements.
View official sourceE-0029 (Rev. 204, Issued: 04-16-21; Effective: 04-16-21, Implementation: 04-16-21) §403.748(c), §416.54(c), §418.113(c), §441.184(c), §460.84(c), §482.15(c), §483.73(c), §483.475(c), §484.102(c), §485.68(c), §485.625(c), §485.727(c), §485.920(c), §486.360(c), §491.12(c), §494.62(c). (c) The [facility] must develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with Federal, State and local laws and must be reviewed and updated at least every 2 years [annually for LTC facilities]. Interpretive Guidelines applies to: §403.748(c), §416.54(c), §418.113(c), §441.184(c), §460.84(c), §482.15(c), §483.73(c), §483.475(c), §484.102(c), §485.68(c), §485.625(c), §485.727(c), §485.920(c), §486.360(c), §491.12(c), §494.62(c). NOTE: This does not apply to Transplant Programs. Facilities must have a written emergency communication plan that contains how the facility coordinates patient care within the facility, across healthcare providers, and with state and local public health departments. The communication plan should include how the facility interacts and coordinates with emergency management agencies and systems to protect patient health and safety in the event of a disaster. The development of a communication plan will support the coordination of care. The plan must be reviewed annually and updated as necessary. We are allowing facilities flexibility in how they formulate and operationalize the requirements of the communication plan. Although the requirement for documentation of collaboration with state and local officials was removed (see 84 FR 51817, Sept. 30, 2019), facilities should still continue to collaborate with state and local emergency officials. During the creation process for communication plans, facilities should also consult their applicable state and local emergency and pandemic plans. Facilities in rural or remote areas with limited connectivity to communication methodologies such as the Internet, World Wide Web, or cellular capabilities need to ensure their communication plan addresses how they would communicate and comply with this requirement in the absence of these communication methodologies. For example, if a facility is located in a rural area, which has limited or no Internet and phone connectivity during an emergency, it should address what alternate means are available to alert local and State emergency officials. Optional communication methods facilities may consider include satellite phones, radios and short wave radios. Survey Procedures • Verify that the facility has a written communication plan by asking to see the plan. • Ask to see evidence that the plan has been reviewed (and updated as necessary) at least every 2 years (annually for LTC facilities). • Ask facility leadership or the designee responsible for the emergency program to verbally explain how they are to collaborate with Federal, State and local officials to ensure their communication plan complies with the Federal, State and local requirements.