CMS Conditions of Participation (CoP) Updated Standards for Emergency Preparedness

The Centers for Medicare & Medcaid Services (CMS) has issued new Emergency Preparedness rules that will mandate an emergency preparedness program built on a “comprehensive framework” of risk assessment; plans, policies, and procedures; baseline capabilities for continuity of operations during emergencies; training and exercises; and interaction with local emergency management organizations. Compliance with the new rule and provisions impacts all facilities, providers, and suppliers of Medicare and Medicaid services.

The new rule was published in the Federal Register September 16, 2016. It goes into effect November 15, 2016, and must be implemented November 15, 2017, by all providers and suppliers of Medicare and Medicaid services. The final CMS rule is available online.

Background:  CMS has been working on updated CoPs for Emergency Preparedness for more than seven years. This update reflects needs identified from the study about issues impacting health care system operations, as well as patient and staff safety from attacks of September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, H1N1, Hurricane Sandy, Ebola, and numerous man-made and natural disasters that have occurred during recent years. The changes more closely align the CoPs with current Joint Commission Accreditation Standards for Hospitals, but apply to all providers and suppliers with specific requirements for 17 categories of providers and suppliers beyond hospitals to include transplant centers and organizations, critical access hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, hospices, and home health agencies, to name a few. More information is available in the CMS release.

HAP and DOH Partner to Improve Emergency Response in Pennsylvania

HAP and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) are partnering in a five-year initiative to support and enhance health care preparedness and response efforts across the state.   

As part of this initiative, HAP staff is available to assist all Pennsylvania health care facilities, whether HAP members or not, with:

• Facility and regional all-hazards planning, training, and exercises 
• Development of regional Hazard Vulnerability Assessments     
• Enhancement of regional and cross-regional Mutual Aid Agreements     
• Implementation of Knowledge Center—a statewide, web-based situational awareness and health care coordination program ·         
• Providing staff support of health and medical personnel at the local, regional, or state level        
• Participation in coalition (health and medical committee) meetings and support with regional planning and response coordination   

If you would like help with your disaster planning and coordination efforts, please contact HAP’s emergency preparedness regional manager for your region.  

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