Big changes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have struck the industry, creating a buzz of questions. Medicare and Medicaid facilities are now required to have a healthcare emergency plan. Attend our free webinar to learn what the CMS mandate means for your organization — and how you can prepare.
What Actually Is the Mandate?
In essence, every healthcare organization must have a set emergency plan that’s verified and approved by CMS, called a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA). It should outline factors like:
- Training staff
- Addressing preparedness of facilities and supplies
- The structure and steps for any disaster that may strike
Compliance must be established by November 16, 2018!
Why Are the Requirements for HVA So Important?
It’s not only CMS talking; medical professionals have concerns.
- In one poll, 49% of doctors said their facility was “somewhat prepared” to handle a surge of patients from potential natural or human-caused disasters. In addition, a startling 93% felt their facilities were not fully prepared for such circumstances.
- Nearly 70% of doctors also shared that there were more medication and drug shortages in the previous year.
This goes beyond statistics; it addresses the real lives healthcare seeks to serve every day. This healthcare emergency plan ensures facilities are equipped for potential disasters all year-long, such as:
- Earthquakes
- Hurricanes
- Wildfires
- Tsunamis and Floods
- Other Natural or Human-Caused Disasters, Such as Chemical Spills or Active Shooters
To better understand why the CMS emergency preparedness guidelines were implemented, let’s address a recent example.
Case Study: Costs and Damage by Hurricane Harvey
Disasters are always imminent. Especially in health and medical services, we need to be prepared. It’s estimated Hurricane Harvey (2017) caused $150 – $250 billion in damage to Texas and Florida. After destroying about 100,000 houses, it left over 30,000 residents in emergency shelters. That’s tens of thousands of people also likely in need of medical care.
Tragically, some sources felt that certain steps could have helped lessen the disaster’s impact. For example, it appears some Texas building codes were voluntary vs. required. The new regulations will help mitigate damage from disasters — and boost the chances of survival and successful medical treatment during and after a disaster.
The Best Way to Meet CMS Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
To make sure your facility is up-to-date, the best, next step is to watch this free webinar.
