June 3rd, 2022
Guidance related to Emergency Preparedness- Exercise Exemption based on A Facility’s Activation of their Emergency Plan *** Revised to provide additional guidance and clarifications due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) REVISED 05.26.2022 ***
Memorandum Summary
• Emergency Preparedness Training and Testing Program Exemption -CMS regulations for Emergency Preparedness (EP) require facilities to conduct exercises to test the facility’s EP plan to ensure that it works and that staff are trained appropriately about their roles and the facility’s processes. During or after an actual emergency, the regulations allow for a one-year exemption from the requirement that the facility perform testing exercises.
• This worksheet presents guidance for surveyors, as well as providers and suppliers, with assessing a facility’s compliance with the EP requirements, in light of many of the response activities associated with the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).
• As the PHE continues, many facilities continue to operate under their respective activated emergency plans. Therefore, CMS is providing additional guidance related to the exercise requirements (full-scale/functional drills and exercises) for inpatient and outpatient providers/suppliers.
• This exemption only applies to the next required full-scale exercise (not the exercise of choice), based on the facility’s 12-month exercise cycle. The cycle is determined by the facility (e.g. calendar, fiscal or another 12-month timeframe).
***All revisions are in red on this letter from CMS, click the link below for the complete document.
September 13th, 2021
Very Important Updates on Emergency & Disaster Preparedness During the Pandemic
Resources Listed Are From CMS & HHSC
See Info For ICF Facilities Below
Life Safety: Updated Guidance for Emergency Preparedness-Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual (SOM)
Emergency Preparedness Participant Workbook
Interim Guidance for General Population Disaster Shelters During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Screening Tool For COVID-19 During Pandemic For Arrival At General Population Shelters
