This regulation requires Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IIDs) to include in their emergency preparedness communication plans a method for sharing relevant emergency plan information with residents or clients and their families or representatives. LTC facilities must review and update their communication plans at least annually, while ICF/IIDs must do so at least every two years. Facilities have flexibility in determining what information to share, how, and when, but must be able to demonstrate their method to surveyors.
View official sourceE-0035 (Rev. 204, Issued: 04-16-21; Effective: 04-16-21, Implementation: 04-16-21) §483.73(c)(8); §483.475(c)(8) *[For LTC Facilities at §483.73(c):] [(c) The LTC 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 annually. The communication plan must include all of the following:] *[For ICF/IIDs at §483.475(c):] [(c) The ICF/IID 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. The communication plan must include all of the following:] (8) A method for sharing information from the emergency plan, that the facility has determined is appropriate, with residents [or clients] and their families or representatives . Interpretive Guidelines for §483.73(c)(8) and §483.475(c)(8). NOTE: This ONLY applies to LTC Facilities and ICF/IIDs. LTC facilities and ICF/IIDs are required to share emergency preparedness plans and policies with their residents/clients, family members, and resident representatives or client representatives, respectively. Facilities have flexibility in deciding what information from the emergency plan should be shared, as well as the timing and manner in which it should be disseminated. While we are not requiring facilities take specific steps or utilize specific strategies to share this information with residents or clients and their families or representatives, we would recommend that facilities provide a quick “Fact Sheet” or informational brochure to the family members and resident or client representatives which may highlight the major sections of the emergency plan and policies and procedures deemed appropriate by the facility. Other options include providing instructions on how to contact the facility in the event of an emergency on the public website or to include the information as part of the facility’s check-in procedures. The facility may provide this information to the surveyor during the survey to demonstrate compliance with the requirement. Survey Procedures • Ask staff to demonstrate the method the facility has developed for sharing the emergency plan with residents or clients and their families or representatives. • Interview residents or clients and their families or representatives and ask them if they have been given information regarding the facility’s emergency plan. • Verify the communication plan includes a method for sharing information from the emergency plan, with residents or clients and their families or representatives by reviewing the plan.