Providers across the country may now be subject to stricter emergency preparedness requirements following a botched evacuation during Hurricane Ida that left 15 Louisiana residents dead.
The state’s oversight of long-term care facilities and their emergency measures have since been heavily criticized by lawmakers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has also taken notice and is now evaluating federal requirements for emergency preparedness and the oversight process, according to a report by NBC News.
“It is unacceptable for nursing home residents to be put in unsafe situations,” CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure told NBC Thursday.
“Our priority is to hold nursing homes accountable and protect nursing home residents and staff at all times — including during emergencies,” Brooks-LaSure added.
The outrage stems over the evacuation to a warehouse of more than 800 residents in preparation for Hurricane Ida. The residents were all from facilities owned by Baton Rouge developer Bob Dean, who also owns the warehouse.
State officials conducted prior inspections of the emergency warehouse and deemed it OK to provide a safe shelter for a short period of time. Conditions and care at the facilities later deteriorated following the storm, according to the state.
In response to the evacuation, state officials revoked the licenses and terminated state Medicaid provider agreements for the facilities.
State health officials had few answers for lawmakers about questions about the mismanaged evacuation during a hearing last week. Director of Regulatory Affairs Stephen Russo said the health department doesn’t approve evacuation plans but rather just reviews them.
“I keep coming back to the nursing home that is responsible for the health and safety of their residents,” Russo said during the hearing.
