AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
2008 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters
February 8, 2008
ADSA: NH #2008-002
Emergency Prepareness
Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:
I want to take this opportunity to remind nursing home (NH) providers of their continuing obligations to plan for and meet resident needs in the event of a natural or human-made disaster. This obligation may continue even if residents are evacuated to another location.
In the event of a major disaster, Residential Care Services (RCS) will work with the Governor, Emergency Management Division (EMD) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to establish priorities for responding to a particular disaster situation.
Collaboration with federal agencies will also be important, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS has been developing new, heightened expectations of state regulatory agencies and providers over the past several years. We expect this trend to continue.
Enclosed are two Information and Resource Sheets about responding to disasters.
Other resources can be found at the RCS homepage at: http://www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/EmergencyPlanning/
Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of Washington’s nursing home residents.
Sincerely,
Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services
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