CMS proposes more rigorous emergency preparedness rules for long-term care facilities
By
Tim Mullaney
Jan 03, 2014
Long-term care facilities would have to meet more comprehensive emergency preparedness guidelines, under a newly proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Organizational issues to consider in disaster planning
By
Betty Norman
Mar 01, 2013
Just as Hurricane Katrina prompted discussion about emergency preparedness in 2005, Superstorm Sandy has re-ignited talks in the senior living communities about their ability to respond to disasters. When...
Preparing for disaster in a nursing home or AL facility
By
Vivian Marinelli
Oct 16, 2012
Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Emergency plans should be updated and put to the test on a regular basis, at least annually. New hires must review the plan as part of their training.
HHS awards $352 million to providers for disaster preparedness
Jul 06, 2011
The Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that it is awarding $352 million in grant money to help healthcare providers improve disaster preparedness efforts.
Feds spending billions to prepare for more complex flu season
Jul 15, 2009
In light of the continued spread of the H1N1 virus and the approaching 2009-2010 flu season, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced the allocation of billions of dollars in influenza...
Report: Emergency-planning efforts for frail elderly need greater emphasis
May 19, 2009
Future emergency planning efforts must take into account shifting demographics, particularly the growing number of frail elderly people, according to a new report.
New England nursing homes well-equipped for ice storm
Dec 16, 2008
More than four days after a massive ice storm devastated much of the Northeast, nursing homes have emerged from the disaster relatively unscathed.
Hurricane Gustav: Nursing home evacuations run smoothly this time
Sep 03, 2008
In stark contrast to three years ago, when the elderly, and nursing home residents in particular, were especially hard hit by Hurricane Katrina, authorities were reporting smooth evacuation processes took...
Study: Most nursing homes don’t have pandemic flu plans …
Jul 23, 2008
Fewer than a quarter (23%) of all nursing homes have a plan for dealing with a massive flu outbreak, according to a new study. About 25% had a pandemic response as part of a broader overall disaster plan.