| Public Safety Power Shutoff | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Public-Safety-Power-Shutoff.aspx | Public Safety Power Shutoff | | | | | 9/24/2024 4:00:00 AM | | Recent events have highlighted the increasing threat posed by pre-emptive power shutdowns, aimed at preventing wildfires, on vulnerable populations such as nursing homes and senior living facilities. A U.S. News article from June 2024,<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-06-09/power-cuts-to-prevent-wildfires-threaten-to-leave-nursing-homes-in-the-dark" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"> "Power Cuts to Prevent Wildfires Threaten to Leave Nursing Homes in the Dark"</a>, outlines the severe consequences these power cuts can have on facilities that rely on continuous electricity to maintain essential services and ensure resident safety.<br><br>To support our members, AHCA has developed a<a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/MemberOnlyDocs/Public%20Safety%20Power%20Shutdown%20Resource%20Final%209-24.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"> resource</a> to assist members in understanding and preparing for a Public Safety Power Shutoff. A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is a planned shutoff of power lines by a utility company to help prevent wildfires from starting. As climate change continues to exacerbate the frequency and intensity of wildfires, utilities across the country are increasingly resorting to PSPS to mitigate the risk of fires sparked by electrical equipment. While these preventive measures are crucial for community safety, they pose significant challenges for nursing homes, where uninterrupted power is essential for maintaining critical health and safety systems.<br><br>This newly published<a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/MemberOnlyDocs/Public%20Safety%20Power%20Shutdown%20Resource%20Final%209-24.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"> Public Safety Power Shutoff resource</a> provides a comprehensive guide to support nursing homes in preparing for PSPS events, and includes regulatory implications and considerations for preparation, mitigation and communication.<br><br>As always, continue to monitor AHCA’s Emergency Preparedness<a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"> website</a>.<br><br> | | |
| Don’t Let Popcorn Affect Your Next Life Safety Survey | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Don’t-Let-Popcorn-Affect-Your-Next-Life-Safety-Survey.aspx | Don’t Let Popcorn Affect Your Next Life Safety Survey | | | | | 7/10/2024 4:00:00 AM | | The only thing better than eating fresh popcorn is enjoying the mesmerizing entertainment it provides during the explosive transformation of the kernels. How that transformation occurs, however, can have an impact on life safety compliance and subsequently your survey results. <br><br>There are a myriad of popcorn “popping" machines available for purchase, and it is not uncommon to find popcorn machines in locations such as activities areas, dining rooms, and/or lounge spaces. Many of these popcorn machines are considered “air pop" machines. Air pop machines generally only utilize hot air to work their magic. However, many other popcorn machines utilize oil. These machines, specifically due to the use of oil, can often be a gray area from a code compliance perspective. Since popcorn machines are not uniquely addressed in the Life Safety Code®, individual Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) have significant leeway in determining their hazard and subsequent protection requirements. While many AHJs require no special protection for a popcorn machine that utilizes oil, some AHJs will require the units to be located within a hazardous area enclosure, or other AHJs will require the units to be operated under a hood extinguishing system.<br><br>As you assess the potential impact of a popcorn machine in your organization, here are some questions to consider:<br><br><ul><li>Does your popcorn machine utilize oil of any quantity?</li><li>Is the popcorn used in your machine packaged with oil? </li><li>Do you utilize your popcorn machine in an area outside of the kitchen?</li></ul>If the answer to any of these questions is “yes", you should consider reaching out to your state survey agency for clarification around their interpretations on popcorn machine use and storage. CMS does not have any specific stances or unique requirements around popcorn machine use or placement, leaving the interpretation to your state or local jurisdiction. <br><br>If you have questions, please reach out to <a href="mailto:emergencyprep@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">emergencyprep@ahca.org</a> <br><br><br><br><br> | | |
| Are You Prepared for a Tornado Emergency | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Are-You-Prepared-for-a-Tornado-Emergency.aspx | Are You Prepared for a Tornado Emergency | | | | | 6/4/2024 4:00:00 AM | | <p>Each year, hundreds of health care facilities across the nation respond to tornado emergencies with limited warning of potentially catastrophic events. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were nearly 1,200 confirmed tornado reports in 2023. While much of this activity occurs in the South and Midwest, often referred to as Tornado Alley, numerous tornadoes also impacted other locations across the country where tornadic activity is generally considered rare. Locations in California, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were all affected by tornadoes in 2023. In one case, an EF-3 tornado caused significant damage along a 16-mile path in Lewis County, New York, the county's strongest tornado on record.</p><p>As tornadic activity is already making headlines this spring, long term care facilities should be assessing their preparedness for such events. This includes reviewing procedures, mitigating hazards, providing training, and testing plans through drills and exercises. Tornadoes are a unique emergency event requiring comprehensive procedures specifically tailored to an organization's needs, resources, and capabilities.</p><p>Consider some of these key questions while self-assessing your organization's readiness:</p><ul><li>Do you have specific procedures that address response actions for when a Tornado Watch or Tornado Warning is issued in your area?<br></li><li>Have you identified designated interior rooms or hallways on the lowest level of the building that can serve as tornado shelter spaces?<br></li><li>Are tornado alerts included in your emergency preparedness training program, including how to receive severe weather notifications and how to assist residents with sheltering in the building?</li><li>Do you maintain a weather alert radio or monitor <a href="https://www.weather.gov/nwr/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">NOAA
Weather Radio</a> in a constantly attended location to ensure you receive timely communications of weather watches and warnings?</li><li>Have you identified where you will place exterior furniture, signs, and other outdoor items if there is the potential for them to be swept away or become projectiles?</li><li>Are utility shut-off locations clearly identified, with tools and instructions available, so that any staff member can access these locations around the clock if they need to be shut off during an emergency?</li><li>Do you have a full building evacuation plan that includes an agreement with a local stop-over/staging location if immediate evacuation is required?</li><li>Do you have agreements with other healthcare providers, both neighboring and distant, if you cannot return to your building in the short term?</li><li>Do you maintain essential supplies to support a prolonged need to shelter in place, such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and medications?</li><li>Do you have a quick and reliable method to communicate with staff and resident families to provide information and instructions?</li></ul>The National Weather Service (NWS) provides numerous tornado safety resources. They can be accessed directly at <a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/tornado" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Tornado Safety (weather.gov)</a>. Additionally, you can find a variety of helpful emergency preparedness tools and resources on AHCA's emergency preparedness webpage at <a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Emergency Preparedness (ahcancal.org)</a>. <br><p><br><br></p> | | |
| Conducting Effective and Compliant Fire Drills | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Conducting-Effective-and-Compliant-Fire-Drills.aspx | Conducting Effective and Compliant Fire Drills | | | | | 3/1/2024 5:00:00 AM | | Fire drills are a key component of any fire safety program. While the Life Safety Code® (LSC) requirements for fire drills are not complicated, fire drill compliance consistently lands on the list of top cited deficiencies during life safety surveys (K-712). As such, let's walk through the key requirements and best practices around fire drills.<br><br>Fire drills in healthcare occupancies are required to be conducted quarterly on each shift. This is commonly accomplished by facilitating a fire drill each month on a different shift. However, there is nothing that precludes an organization from running multiple fire drills in a single month as long as each shift receives a drill during the quarter. <br><br>Fire drills should be conducted at varying times and under varying conditions. While the LSC is not specific regarding what constitutes “varying times," it is wise to consider varying drills by at least one hour for drills conducted on the same shift. Similarly, drills should be facilitated in different parts of the building and with different scenarios. Simulating the same fire scenario in the same location limits the involvement of staff from other areas of the building. It can be beneficial to develop a fire drill schedule at the on-set of each year that outlines fire drill dates, time, locations, and scenarios. This will provide a helpful roadmap to the fire drill facilitator and ensure compliance is maintained regarding the variance in time, location, and conditions. <br><br>While not specifically required by the LSC, there is an implied expectation that fire drills will be documented. Documentation is your mechanism to prove fire drill compliance during survey. An effective fire drill report will include all the details around the drill including date, time, location, facilitator, and actions taken by staff…specifically any areas for improvement. The reports can be an effective tool for assessing staff competency and identifying trends. It is also wise to maintain a sign-in sheet for each drill to document the staff that were involved. <br><br>Fire drills require activation of the fire alarm system including the normal audible and visual notification devices. However, for nighttime fire drills that occur between the hours of 9:00pm-6:00am, a coded announcement (commonly an overhead page) is permitted in lieu of activating the fire alarm system audible devices. Visual devices are still required to be activated. If and when CMS adopts a newer edition of the LSC, both audible and visual devices will be permitted to be omitted during overnight fire drills. Overnight fire drills always require staff response and implementation of the fire procedures. <br><br>Compliance aside, fire drills can be an extremely effective educational opportunity. Realtime implementation of the fire procedures in a staff member's normal work area can be more memorable and impactful than a training lecture, video, or on-line course. Completing the drill may check the compliance box, but investing the time to facilitate a well-organized drill that includes a comprehensive staff critique will pay dividends during a true fire emergency occurrence. <br><br>As always, knowledge of the applicable codes and standards is your best tool for ensuring compliance. You can purchase a copy of the Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101) online at <a href="http://www.nfpa.org/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">www.nfpa.org</a>. The <a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Pages/Fire-Life-Safety.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">AHCA/NCAL website</a> is also a good source for on-going life safety education, tools, and resources. <br><br> | | |