Question

The recent increases in natural and man-made disasters are likely to continue. These projections are impactful for LTC Facilities that provide 24-hour care to residents. Highlight a CMS LTC Facility requirement and explain the significance / impact

Answer 1

CMS(Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services) made new emergency preparedness rules for long term care facilities in the U.S health care system. Rules focus on risk assessment, plans, policies and procedures and training for staff and testing their plans in the community. Health care coalitions include hospitals, public agencies, emergency medical services, a partnership for large scale emergency. Toolkit with new rule makes planning worksheet which helps the facility to implement their plan. Behalf of CMS division of quality assurance assess and protect patients, residents, facility staffs during an emergency situation.
CMS includes federal regulations participation from Medicare and Medicaid coverage for emergency preparedness. if it is failed to meet providers and suppliers need a loss of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement should be done. collaboration process with local, tribal, staffs, regional and federal emergency preparedness officials is important. Emergency preparedness meets LTC facility needs with food, water, medical supply, lighting, fire response, and waste management. LTC facility residents protected during and after an emergency by staffs on duty. Relevant information should be accurate from the officials. policies and procedures should be incorporate with HIPAA, residents information should be protected with confidentiality.
Policy and procedure include staff shortage, it also includes staff transportation facilities to meet residents needs. It also has collaboration with local emergency officials and public health emergency. There are 1135 waiver granted and emergency assistance volunteers from health professionals provide their volunteer work for emergency preparedness. communication plans will address the needs of people by sharing emergency plan information. A resident physician should follow a timely manner. Disclosure decision flowchart helps LTC facility to make choices. LTC facility emergency preparedness training and testing programs for staffs, volunteers, and contractors include drills and exercise for improvement. the program implementation plan should be updated each time with personal collaboration to develop the plan