Scope
The licensing rules give minimum requirements for the written emergency preparedness and response plan that each type of facility or agency must have. These requirements include the following:
Facility-Based Providers
The written emergency preparedness and response plan must address, at a minimum, eight core functions:
- Direction and control
- Warning
- Communication
- Sheltering arrangements
- Evacuation
- Transportation
- Health and medical needs
- Resource management
You can find detailed requirements for these providers in the Texas Administrative Code:
- Nursing facilities - 26 TAC Section 554.1914
- Type A and Type B assisted living facilities - 26 TAC Section 553.44
- Intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability - 26 TAC Section 551.50
- Day activity and health services facilities - 26 TAC Section 559.64
- Prescribed pediatric extended care centers - 26 TAC Section 550.209
Home and Community Support Services Agencies
An agency's emergency preparedness and response plan must include the following (For more detailed requirements, read 26 TAC Section 558.256):
- A continuity of operations business plan that addresses emergency financial needs, essential functions for client services, critical personnel, and how to return to normal operations as quickly as possible.
- How the agency will monitor disaster-related news and information, including after hours, weekends and holidays, to receive warnings of imminent or occurring disasters.
- Procedures to release client information in the event of a disaster.
- Staff actions and responsibilities in each phase of emergency planning, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
- Communication modes and procedures.
- Client triage procedures.
- Procedures for identifying clients in need of evacuation assistance.
The agency is also required to discuss certain information regarding emergency preparedness with the client.
Hospice Agencies with Inpatient Units
In addition to compliance with 26 TAC Section 558.256, a freestanding hospice agency with an inpatient unit must address the following core functions of emergency management in its written emergency preparedness and response plan, as described in Section 558.871(a)(2):
- Direction and control
- Communication
- Resource management
- Sheltering in place
- Evacuation
- Transportation
- Training