May 13, 2014
ALTSA: NH #2014-002
S&C 14-12: Emergency Preparedness Initiative - Revised Checklist
Dear Nursing Homes Administrators and Interested Parties:
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued survey & certification memo S&C 14-12 alerting healthcare facilities that they have revised their Emergency Preparedness Checklist for health care facility planning.
CMS has developed heightened expectations of state regulatory agencies and providers over the past several years. In the event of a major disaster, Residential Care Services (RCS) will work with the Governor, Emergency Management Division (EMD) and other department administrations to establish priorities for responding to a particular disaster situation. Collaboration with federal agencies will also be very important
The latest information contained in CMS S&C 14-12 dated February 28, 2014:
- Is current policy and is in effect for all health care facilities.
- Provides detailed guidance about patient/resident tracking, supplies and collaboration.
- Can be found at the CMS S&C Emergency Preparedness website: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertEmergPrep/index.html?redirect=/SurveyCertEmergPrep under the Health Care Provider Guidance tab, Downloads section.
Please visit our website at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa to view additional information & resources on Emergency Preparedness. We have added a link to the revised checklist.
If you have any questions about collaboration with state and federal agencies in the event of a major emergency, please contact your local RCS Field Manager
Sincerely,
Carl I. Walters II, Director
Residential Care Services