Section 190. Safety and emergency procedures

A. A written emergency preparedness plan shall be developed, reviewed, and implemented when needed. The plan shall address responses to natural disasters, as well as fire or other emergency which disrupts the normal course of operations. The plan shall address provisions for relocating residents and also address staff responsibilities for:

1. Alerting emergency personnel and sounding alarms;

2. Implementing evacuation procedures including the evacuation of residents with special needs;

3. Using, maintaining and operating emergency equipment;

4. Accessing resident emergency medical information; and

5. Utilizing community support services.

B. All staff shall participate in periodic emergency preparedness training.

C. Staff shall have documented knowledge of, and be prepared to implement, the emergency preparedness plan in the event of an emergency.

D. At least one telephone shall be available in each area to which residents are admitted and additional telephones or extensions as are necessary to ensure availability in case of need.

E. In the event of a disaster, fire, emergency or any other condition that may jeopardize the health, safety and well-being of residents, the organization shall notify the OLC of the conditions and status of the residents and the licensed facility as soon as possible.

F. The nursing facility shall have a policy on smoking.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.