Updates to the CMS Emergency Management Rules: The Journey Continues

• OVERVIEW

The CMS Emergency Management requirements are focused on three key essentials necessary for maintaining access to healthcare during disasters or emergencies: safeguarding human resources, maintaining business continuity, and protecting physical resources. The audience will review the scope of the CMS Emergency Management Rule with the recent changes.

Planning for emerging infectious diseases may require modification to the facility protocols for early identification, isolation and PPE to protect the health and safety of staff as well as patients. Strategies for implementation related to succession planning and continuity of operations will be discussed. Requirements for alternative sources of power be reviewed and the requirement for senior leadership involvement will be highlighted. There will be some time in the end for Q&A. (~ 10-15 minutes)

• LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Describe the key updates to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Management Rule
• List strategies for implementation related to succession planning and continuity of operations 
• Discuss the challenges of adding emerging infectious diseases (EID) in the “all hazards” planning
• Detail requirements for medication storage and emergency power review the roles and responsibilities of senior leadership in the oversight of emergency management
• Identify key online resources 

• WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND

The new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Emergency Management Rule became effective as of November 2017 for the 11 categories of providers covered under CMS. It establishes national emergency preparedness requirements for participating providers and certified suppliers to adequately plan for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordinate with Federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems. Since that time, there have been updates to the requirements as well as a focus on leadership role in emergency management.

“All-hazards” planning, which is the basis for hazard vulnerability assessments and planning, must now include “emerging infectious diseases (EID)” such as influenza, Zika, and Ebola. This may require a change in planning for infectious disease outbreaks, i.e., early identification, supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), larger volumes of infectious waste and disease-specific staff education, that are not included in other planning, mitigation, response, and recovery plans. Other topics requiring greater attention include use of portable generators, tracking of displaced patients, temperature management for medications and supplies, providing care at alternate sites with the requirements for an 1135 waiver, succession planning and continuity of operations.

• WHO WILL BENEFIT?

• Healthcare Leadership/ Senior Leadership responsible for Emergency Management
• Facilities leadership, clinical and non-clinical
• Emergency managers
• Safety directors/managers
• Accreditation Specialists
• System/Divisional Leadership