South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-78 - Standards for Licensing Hospices
Sec2 61-78.1800 - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Section 61-78.1800.1801 - Disaster Preparedness (II)

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-78.1800.1801

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

A. A Hospice Facility shall develop, by contact and consultation with their county emergency preparedness agency, a suitable written plan for actions to be taken in the event of a disaster and/or emergency evacuation. Prior to providing services, the Hospice Facility shall submit the completed plan to the Department for review. The Hospice Facility shall update and resubmit the emergency and/or disaster evacuation plan if it proposes a new total licensed bed capacity. All staff members and volunteers shall be made familiar with this plan and instructed as to any required actions. A copy of the disaster plan shall be provided to the patient and/or patient's sponsor at the time of admission. The plan shall be reviewed and updated, as appropriate, annually and rehearsed at least annually.

B. A Hospice Facility shall maintain a means of communication with its local emergency management agency capable of transmitting information and/or data during periods when normal communication systems are inoperable. The Hospice shall also maintain a back-up system. Both systems shall be exercised periodically.

C. Annually, prior to June 1st of each year, each Hospice Facility shall validate and provide the Department the information required by the Department's Critical Data Sheet (CDS) Information system. Hospice data provided to the CDS system will assist the Department, during times of disaster and emergencies, determine the appropriateness of evacuation or shelter-in-place.

D. The disaster and emergency evacuation plan shall include, but not be limited to:

1. A sheltering plan to include:
a. The licensed bed capacity and average occupancy rate;

b. Name, address and phone number of the sheltering facility or facilities to which the patients will be relocated during a disaster; and

c. A letter of agreement signed by an authorized representative of each sheltering facility that shall include: the number of relocated patients that can be accommodated; sleeping, feeding, and medication plans for the relocated patients; and provisions for accommodating relocated staff members and volunteers. The letter shall be updated with the sheltering facility at least every three (3) years and whenever significant changes occur. For those facilities located in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Horry, Jasper, and Georgetown counties, at least one (1) sheltering facility shall be located in a county other than these counties.

2. A transportation plan, to include agreements with entities for relocating patients, which addresses:
a. Number and type of vehicles required;

b. How and when the vehicles are to be obtained;

c. Who (by name or organization) will provide drivers;

d. The relocation needs of the patients and staff contingent upon the type of disaster/emergency confronted;

e. Procedures for providing appropriate medical support, food, water, and medications during transportation and relocation based on the needs and number of the patients;

f. Estimated time to accomplish the relocation;

g. Primary and secondary routes to be taken to the sheltering facility.

3. A staffing plan for the relocated patients, to include:
a. How care will be provided to the relocated patients, including the number and type of staff members that will accompany patients who are relocated;

b. Prearranged transportation arrangements to ensure staff members are relocated to the sheltering facility;

c. Co-signed statement by an authorized representative of the sheltering facility if staffing, bedding, or medical supplies is to be provided by the sheltering facility.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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