<<Prev Rule

Texas Administrative Code

Next Rule>>
TITLE 26HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 511LIMITED SERVICES RURAL HOSPITALS
SUBCHAPTER COPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
RULE §511.68Emergency Preparedness

  (9) evidence that the LSRH has communicated prospectively with the local utility and phone companies regarding the need for the LSRH to be given priority for the restoration of utility and phone services and a process for testing internal and external communications systems regularly.

(g) An LSRH shall post a phone number listing specific to the LSRH equipment and locale to assist staff in contacting mechanical and technical support in the event of an emergency.

(h) An LSRH must develop and maintain an emergency preparedness training and testing program that is based on the emergency plan set forth in subsection (a) of this section, risk assessment in subsection (a)(1) of this section, policies and procedures in subsection (E) of this section, and the communication plan in subsection (f) of this section. The LSRH shall review and update the training and testing program at least every two years.

  (1) The LSRH shall:

    (A) provide initial training in emergency preparedness policies and procedures to all new and existing staff, individuals providing on-site services under arrangement, and volunteers, consistent with their expected roles;

    (B) provide emergency preparedness training at least every two years;

    (C) maintain documentation of all emergency preparedness training;

    (D) demonstrate staff knowledge of emergency procedures; and

    (E) conduct training on the updated policies and procedures if the LSRH significantly updates the emergency preparedness policies and procedures.

  (2) The LSRH shall conduct exercises to test the emergency plan at least annually. The LSRH shall comply with all of the following requirements.

    (A) The LSRH shall participate in a full-scale exercise that is community-based every two years.

      (i) When a community-based exercise is not accessible, the LSRH shall conduct an LSRH-based functional exercise every two years; or

      (ii) If the LSRH experiences an actual natural or man-made emergency that requires activation of the emergency plan, the LSRH is exempt from engaging in its next required community-based or individual, facility-based functional exercise following the onset of the emergency event.

    (B) The LSRH shall conduct an additional exercise at least every two years, opposite the year the LSRH conducts the full-scale or functional exercise under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, that may include the following:

      (i) a second full-scale exercise that is community-based, or an individual, facility-based functional exercise;

      (ii) a mock disaster drill; or

      (iii) a tabletop exercise or workshop that is led by a facilitator and includes a group discussion using a narrated, clinically relevant emergency scenario, and a set of problem statements, directed messages, or prepared questions designed to challenge an emergency plan.

    (C) The LSRH shall analyze the LSRH's response to and maintain documentation of all drills, tabletop exercises, and emergency events and revise the LSRH's emergency plan, as needed.

  (3) An LSRH participating in an exercise or responding to a real-life event shall develop an after-action report (AAR) within 60 days after the exercise or event. The LSRH shall retain an AAR for at least three years and be available for review by the local emergency management authority and HHSC. The LSRH shall revise the LSRH's emergency plan, as needed, in response to the AAR.

(i) An LSRH must implement emergency and standby power systems based on the emergency plan set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

  (1) The generator shall be located in accordance with the location requirements found in the Health Care Facilities Code (National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99 and Tentative Interim Amendments (TIA) 12-2, TIA 12-3, TIA 12-4, TIA 12-5, and TIA 12-6), Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 and Tentative Interim Amendments TIA 12-1, TIA 12-2, TIA 12-3, and TIA 12-4), and NFPA 110, when a new structure is built or when an existing structure or building is renovated.

  (2) The LSRH shall implement emergency power system inspection and testing requirements found in the Health Care Facilities Code, NFPA 110, and the Life Safety Code.

  (3) An LSRH that maintains an onsite fuel source to power emergency generators must have a plan for how it will keep emergency power systems operational during the emergency unless it evacuates.

(j) When an LSRH is part of a health care system consisting of multiple separately certified health care facilities that elects to have a unified and integrated emergency preparedness program, the LSRH may choose to participate in the health care system's coordinated emergency preparedness program. If elected, the unified and integrated emergency preparedness program shall:

  (1) demonstrate that each separately certified facility within the system actively participated in the development of the unified and integrated emergency preparedness program;

  (2) be developed and maintained in a manner that takes into account each separately certified facility's unique circumstances, patient populations, and services offered;

  (3) demonstrate that each separately certified facility is capable of actively using the unified and integrated emergency preparedness program and is in compliance;

  (4) include a unified and integrated emergency plan that meets the requirements of this section and include the following:

    (A) a documented community-based risk assessment, utilizing an all-hazards approach; and

    (B) a documented individual facility-based risk assessment for each separately certified facility within the health system, utilizing an all-hazards approach; and

  (5) include integrated policies and procedures that meet the requirements set forth in subsection (e) of this section, and a coordinated communication plan and training and testing programs that meet the requirements of subsections (f) and (h) of this section, respectively.

(k) The following material listed in this subsection is incorporated by reference into this section.

  (1) NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code, 2012 edition, issued August 11, 2011.

  (2) TIA 12-2 to NFPA 99, issued August 11, 2011.

  (3) TIA 12-3 to NFPA 99, issued August 9, 2012.

  (4) TIA 12-4 to NFPA 99, issued March 7, 2013.

  (5) TIA 12-5 to NFPA 99, issued August 1, 2013.

  (6) TIA 12-6 to NFPA 99, issued March 3, 2014.

  (7) NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2012 edition, issued August 11, 2011.

  (8) TIA 12-1 to NFPA 101, issued August 11, 2011.

  (9) TIA 12-2 to NFPA 101, issued October 30, 2012.

  (10) TIA 12-3 to NFPA 101, issued October 22, 2013.

  (11) TIA 12-4 to NFPA 101, issued October 22, 2013.

  (12) NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, 2010 edition, including TIAs to chapter 7, issued August 6, 2009.


Source Note: The provisions of this §511.68 adopted to be effective October 5, 2023, 48 TexReg 5668

Previous Page

Link to Texas Secretary of State Home Page | link to Texas Register home page | link to Texas Administrative Code home page | link to Open Meetings home page