Emergency Preparedness Policy and Procedure Policy Application ...

a) Class I - Potential to be life threatening with out care. Requires ongoing treatment to preservelife. Unable to evacuate/transport self. Unable to withstand any interruption in power supply.No readily available caregiver or caregiver unable to provide needed care. Requires transportto an acute care facility or specialized shelter situation. Examples: Ventilator dependent,LVADb) Class II - Not immediately life threatening but patient may suffer adverse effect withoutservice. Visits may be postponed for 24-48 hours with minimal adverse effect. Able towithstand up to 48 hour power interruption. Unable to transfer/transport self or notransportation available from caregiver. Examples: O2 dependent with severe COPD, Insulindependent and unable to self inject, large open draining wound with potential for sepsis, IVantibiotics.c) Class III - Low potential for adverse effect if visits are delayed 48 to 72 hours. Able to carefor self or willing and able caregiver readily available. Transportation available from family,friends, volunteers or caregiver. Examples: O2 dependent with adequate O2 supply andmeans to have tanks refilled. ew insulin dependent diabetic who can self inject and performglucometer checks but needs phone support or further education, tube feeding.d) Class IV - Visits may be postponed 72 hours or more with little or no adverse effects. Willingand able caregiver readily available or patient independent in most ADLs. Transportationavailable from family, friends, volunteers or caregiver. Examples: Blood pressuremonitoring, Foley catheter changes, personal care only.11. The agency will identify clients who may need evacuation assistance and maintain triage recordsin the event of an emergency in order to coordinate and communicate with the appropriateindividuals and relevant state, federal and local officials if applicable. The agency is notresponsible for physically evacuating clients.12. The agency will ensure that all staff, volunteers and contractors are trained and oriented abouttheir responsibilities in the agency’s EPRP upon hire and when the plan is revised.13. The Administrator, Supervising Nurse (if applicable) and other individuals designated by theadministrator will review the plan at least annually, and after each actual emergency response, toevaluate its effectiveness and to update the plan as needed.14. As part of the annual internal review, the agency will test the response phase of the emergencypreparedness and response plan in a planned drill if not tested during an actual emergencyresponse. A planned drill will be limited to implementation of the agency’s “CommunicationTree”.15. [XYZ Home Health Agency] will make a good faith effort to comply with the requirements of thispolicy during a disaster. If the agency is unable to comply with any of the requirements of thispolicy, the agency will document in the agency’s records attempts of staff to follow proceduresoutlined in the emergency preparedness and response plan.Texas Association for Home CareSample Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Policy04-20083