The elephant in the room: Are you prepared for the next emergency?
By
Angela Rinehart
Norris Cunningham
Sep 30, 2022
Historically, emergency preparedness programs in long-term care facilities have been less prioritized, with facilities understandably focusing on patient care and operations. But with the pandemic...
Conducting and documenting meaningful fire drills in LTC facilities
By
Stan Szpytek
Apr 16, 2024
From some of our earliest memories in elementary school as little kids, we all recall participating in fire drills on a periodic basis. Of course, the purpose of those fire drills was to train students,...
4 considerations for building your emergency preparedness plan
By
Diane Doherty
Jan 09, 2018
From Hurricanes Irma and Harvey to the California wildfires, there has been no shortage of extreme weather around the country.
Issues to consider when disaster planning: Part 2
By
Betty Norman
Mar 29, 2013
As we learned during Sandy, it’s essential to know where residents will be evacuated and to have protocols to account for everyone’s safety. Connect with facilities in your community about...
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...
Armed intruder and active shooter preparedness in LTC facilities
By
Stan Szpytek
Steve Wilder
Oct 09, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires skilled nursing facilities to plan for emergencies and disasters to protect the vulnerable population they serve. The regulations cited in Appendix...
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.
Planning for the ‘consequences’ of identified hazards at a long-term care facility
By
Stan Szpytek
Feb 26, 2024
Good emergency planning practices and regulatory compliance mandate that long-term care facilities identify the potential threats, perils, and hazards that can adversely impact operations both from an...