CMS Highlights Top 5 Emergency Preparedness Citations and Reminds Providers of Available Resources to Support Compliance

Posted in RESOURCES

Late last week, CMS updated its Emergency Preparedness webpage specific to healthcare provider guidance. While the Guidance outlined in Appendix Z of CMS’ State Operations Manual (SOM) has not updated, it appears a renewed push for provider awareness of emergency preparedness expectations and survey trends is top of mind.

In addition to an emergency preparedness citation trend summary that was posted, CMS reminds providers of the available training and resources for provider use to enhance compliance and overall awareness of these key requirements. CMS states that “sound, timely planning provides the foundation for effective emergency management.”

Top 5 Emergency Preparedness Citations include (not specific to a single provider type):

  1. E0036 – E0039 Training & Testing Program
  2. E-0001, E-0006 All Hazards Risk Assessment
  3. E-0015 Subsistence Needs of Patients and Staff: Inpatient providers
  4. E-0028 Dialysis Emergency Equipment: ESRD facilities
  5. Development & Review of the EP Program

On the webpage and in its citation trend summary, CMS provides language to explain the intent of each of these requirements along with examples of potential outcomes from failure to comply. We believe it is worth the read…

Training & Resources:

  • CMS Emergency Preparedness Basic Course: CMS’ basic course for emergency preparedness (surveyor training), is free and available on-demand to providers, 24/7, through the QSEP portal.
  • ASPR TRACIE provides personalized support for requests for information and technical assistance (TA) and is accessible by toll-free number (1-844-5-TRACIE (587-2243)), email (askasprtracie@hhs.gov), or via the web.
  • ASPR TRACIE created the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule Page: https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/cmsrule. This includes by-provider checklists, encompassing CMS’ Appendix Z guidance, and provides various other resources and tools.

A comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Toolkit is also available through our website at Briggs Healthcare that provides practical strategies, resources, and guidance for organizations that will walk you through the following key elements:

  • Risk Assessment and Emergency Plannin
  • Policies and Procedures
  • Communication Plan
  • Training and Testing