Reminder about emergency policies, procedures, and evacuation plans

 

To: Assisted Living Providers and Consumers of Assisted Living Services From: Jane Flournoy, ALR Section, Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Service Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment The Health Facilities Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) has noted an uptick in Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) and Alternative Care Facilities (ACFs) with emergency policies and plans that do not adequately meet the needs of the residence in the event of an emergency. Please review the rule language below and ensure your ALRs' emergency policies and plans are realistic and responsive to any emergency issues that may arise. 10.6 (Tag S920) Each assisted living residence’s emergency policies shall address, at a minimum, all of the following items: (A) Written instructions for each identified risk that includes persons to be notified and steps to be taken. The instructions shall be readily available 24 hours a day in more than one location with all staff aware of the locations; (B) A schematic plan of the building or portions thereof placed visibly in a central location and throughout the building, as needed, showing evacuation routes, smoke stop and fire doors, exit doors, and the location of fire extinguishers and fire alarm boxes; (C) When to evacuate the premises and the procedure for doing so; (D) A pre-determined means of communicating with residents, families, staff and other providers; (E) A plan that ensures the availability of, or access to, emergency power for essential functions and all resident-required medical devices or auxiliary aids; (F) Storage and preservation of medications; (G) Assignment of specific tasks and responsibilities to the staff members on each shift including use of a triage system to assess the needs of the most vulnerable residents first; (H) Protection and transfer of health information as needed to meet the care needs of residents; and (I) In the event relocation of residents becomes necessary, written agreements with other health facilities and/or community agencies. For questions, please contact Jane Flournoy at jane.flournoy@state.co.us. .