Minnesota Administrative Rules
Agency 144 - Health Department
Chapter 4658 - NURSING HOMES
ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS
Part 4658.0065 - RESIDENT SAFETY AND DISASTER PLANNING

Subpart 1. Safety program.

A nursing home must develop and implement an organized safety program in accordance with a written safety plan. The written plan must be included in the orientation and in-service training programs of all employees and volunteers to ensure safety of residents at all times.

Subp. 2. Security of physical plant.

A nursing home must have a method of ensuring the security of exit doors leading directly to the outside which are not under direct observation from the nurses' station.

Subp. 3. Written disaster plan.

A nursing home must have a written disaster plan specific to the nursing home with procedures for the protection and evacuation of all persons in the case of fire or explosion or in the event of floods, tornadoes, or other emergencies. The plan must include information and procedures about the location of alarm signals and fire extinguishers, frequency of drills, assignments of specific tasks and responsibilities of the personnel on each shift, persons and local emergency departments to be notified, precautions and safety measures during tornado alerts, procedures for evacuation of all persons during fire or floods, planned evacuation routes from the various floor areas to safe areas within the building, or from the building when necessary, and arrangements for temporary emergency housing in the community in the event of total evacuation.

Subp. 4. Availability of disaster plan.

Copies of the disaster plan containing the basic emergency procedures must be posted at all nurses' stations, kitchens, laundries, and boiler rooms. Complete copies of the detailed disaster plan must be available to all supervisory personnel.

Subp. 5. Drills.

Residents do not need to be evacuated during a drill except when an evacuation drill is planned in advance.