Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation recently hosted an Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Nursing Homes. The full-day workshop was sponsored by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Continuing Care Leadership Coalition (CCLC). CCLC members were invited to take part in the DOH statewide workshop series during October, to strengthen and practice emergency preparedness plans and responses for nursing homes. About 115 personnel from the downstate region participated in the workshop.
“Among other goals, this timely training workshop was intended to assist nursing homes as they evaluate and comply with Federal Conditions of Participation (CoPs), which affect 17 provider types nationally and become enforceable during November of 2017,” said Michael N. Rosenblut, Parker President and CEO. He said the workshop provided technical training and information covering the four, fundamental areas of Emergency Preparedness required of nursing homes in the CoPs:
Risk Assessment and Emergency Planning
All hazards emergency response planning to identify all risks to safe operations that a facility and its community are most likely to experience, and delineation of necessary facility response activities.
Policies and Procedures
Development and implementation of policies and procedures that support the successful execution of the emergency plan based on identified risks.
Communications Plan
Development and maintenance of an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with both Federal and State law, and helps assure: continuity of resident care, and resilience of communication modalities with facility staff, resident families, and with State and local public health departments and emergency management agencies.
Training and Testing
Development and maintenance of an ongoing emergency preparedness training and testing program, such that staff can maintain and demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures; conduct drills and exercises to identify gaps and areas for improvement, in the Emergency Preparedness plan and staff competency.
The October workshops were offered free of charge to nursing home administrators; emergency response coordinators; directors of nursing; plant managers; directors of safety and security, etc. For more information on future workshops and events, contact Lina Scacco at 718-289-2212 or lscacco@parkerinstitute.org.
—Submitted by Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation
