Emergency Policies and Procedures

10.1 The assisted living residence shall have readily available a roster of current residents, their room
assignments and emergency contact information along with a facility diagram showing room
locations.

10.2 The assisted living residence shall complete a risk assessment of all hazards and preparedness
measures to address natural and human-caused crises including, but not limited to, fire(s), gas
explosion, power outages, tornado, flooding and threatened or actual acts of violence.

10.3 The assisted living residence shall develop and follow written policies and procedures to ensure
the continuation of necessary care to all residents for at least 72 hours immediately following any
emergency including, but not limited to, a long-term power failure.

10.4 Emergency policies and procedures shall be tailored to the geographic location of the assisted
living residence; types of residents served; and unique risks and circumstances identified by the
assisted living residence.

10.5 Each assisted living residence shall identify its highest potential risk and hold routine drills to
facilitate staff and resident response to that risk. There shall be written documentation of such
drills.

10.6 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.
(I) In the event relocation of residents becomes necessary, written agreements with other
health facilities and/or community agencies.
Emergency Equipment

10.7 First aid equipment shall be maintained on the premises in a readily available location and staff
shall be instructed in its use and location.

10.8 The assisted living residence shall have enough first aid kits to enable staff to immediately
respond to emergencies. Each first aid kit shall be checked regularly to ensure that it is fully
stocked and that any expiration date is not exceeded.

10.9 Each kit shall include, at a minimum, the following items:
(A) Latex free disposable gloves,
(B) Scissors,
(C) Adhesive bandages,
(D) Bandage tape,
(E) Sterile gauze pads,
(F) Flexible roller gauze,
(G) Triangular bandages with safety pins,
(H) A note pad with a pen or pencil,
(I) A CPR barrier device or mask, and
(J) Soap or waterless hand sanitizer.

10.10 If the assisted living residence has an automated external defibrillator (AED), staff shall be trained
in its use and it shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
10.11 There shall be at least one telephone, not powered by household electrical current, in the
assisted living residence available for immediate emergency use by staff, residents, and visitors.
Contact information for police, fire, ambulance [9-1-1, if applicable] and poison control center
shall be readily accessible to staff.
10.12 Assisted living residences shall have a battery or generator-powered alternative lighting system
available in the event of a power failure.