Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024
(1) The facility shall establish and implement procedures that describe staff and patient actions in medical and non-medical emergencies, including at least fire, equipment failure, power outages, medical emergencies, unscheduled facility closing, and natural disasters which are likely to threaten the health and safety of patients or staff.
(2) The facility shall provide training for staff and patients in where to go, what to do, and whom to contact if a medical or non-medical emergency occurs. Patient training in the handling of emergencies shall be documented in the patient's medical record and review with the patient at least annually.
(3) The facility plan shall include method of access to community emergency services. Contact numbers for emergency needs, shall be conspicuously posted near a telephone readily available to the clinical treatment area.
(4) The facility shall have and maintain appropriate equipment and supplies, in ready-to-operate condition, for managing medical emergencies, in a location accessible by all healthcare personnel. By October 1, 2002, all licensed facilities shall have an automatic external defibrillator. Emergency trays or carts shall include at least:
(a) Emergency drugs and supplies for administering treatment;
(b) Oxygen or compressed air for respiratory support;
(c) Equipment for mechanical assistance with ventilation; and
(d) Oral airway access-devices and suctioning equipment.
(5) The facility shall establish and implement a plan for management of staff and patients in the event of a fire and provide for patient education on emergency evacuation.
(a) Evacuation routes shall be posted in all treatment areas, and patients shall be informed of these routes.
(b) The facility shall conduct and document regular fire and/or disaster drills for all shifts of service provision. Fire and/or disaster drills shall be conducted at least every six months.
(c) The facility shall have and maintain operable fire extinguishers adequate for the space and conditions.
(d) All facility staff shall be trained in the operation of emergency equipment, as appropriate to their qualifications and licensure.
(e) All staff shall be knowledgeable of emergency procedures and their role in the event of an emergency or disaster situation.
(f) All personnel at the facility who provide direct healthcare services for patients must maintain current certification in Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Support (BCLS) and the use of the automatic external defibrillator when the facility acquires one.
(g) The facility shall prepare a plan for procedures in the event of a natural or other disaster which may affect the facility's ability to provide patient treatment.
1. The disaster preparedness plan shall include at a minimum plans for the following emergency situations:
(i) Local or widespread weather emergencies or natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, ice or snow storms, or floods;
(ii) Unanticipated interruption of service of utilities, including water, gas, or electricity, either within the facility or within a local or widespread area;
(iii) Loss of heat or air conditioning;
(iv) Fire, explosion, or other physical damage to the facility.
2. The facility shall have a written agreement with at least one other licensed facility that can provide dialysis services, to assure that the facility's patients will be treated in the event that an emergency situation at the facility renders it unable to provide scheduled dialysis services.
3. The facility shall have an emergency lighting system sufficient to allow for safe discontinuation of treatments and evacuation of the facility in the event of power failure.
4. The facility's disaster preparedness plan shall be made available to the Department for inspection upon request.
O.C.G.A. §
31-44-3.
