Annual Refresher R04

Emergency
Preparedness

Annual Refresher Training

What You'll Review

Learning Objectives

Recall the four CMS emergency preparedness elements
Identify high-risk patient populations requiring priority contact
Apply the correct procedure during a weather emergency
Describe how power outages affect equipment-dependent patients
State your role during an emergency preparedness drill

The Framework

Four CMS Emergency Preparedness Elements

Risk Assessment and Emergency Plan — Agency-level plan addressing Ohio-specific hazards
Policies and Procedures — Written guidance for each emergency type
Communication Plan — How to reach patients, staff, and partners during an emergency
Training and Testing — Annual full-scale exercise, semi-annual tabletop drills

Ohio-Specific

Ohio Hazard Awareness

Tornadoes — April-June peak; entire state at risk
Severe thunderstorms and flooding
Winter storms and ice events — can isolate patients and block caregiver access
Extreme heat events — highest risk for elderly patients without AC
Extended power outages — any season

Know Your Caseload

High-Risk Patients

Know which patients on your caseload are in high-risk categories:

Oxygen-dependent — concentrators stop working without power
Ventilator-dependent
Insulin-requiring diabetics — insulin storage affected by temperature
Dialysis patients — missed sessions are life-threatening
Cognitive impairment — cannot self-evacuate or call for help
Patients who live alone with no family backup

If you're not sure whether a patient has a documented emergency plan, ask your supervisor.

Critical Protocol

Power Outage — Oxygen-Dependent Patients

Confirm backup oxygen supply is present and functional (portable cylinder)
Note the backup cylinder remaining capacity in your visit note
If backup supply is insufficient or outage is prolonged, call your supervisor immediately
Encourage patients to register with their utility company's Medical Baseline program for priority restoration

During Widespread Emergencies

Business Continuity Tiers

Priority 1 — Critical

Life-sustaining services: oxygen-dependent, ventilator-dependent, wound VAC, insulin-dependent patients living alone. These patients receive care first, no exceptions.

Priority 2 — Essential

Patients requiring daily ADL assistance who cannot safely self-care — high fall risk or cognitive impairment.

Priority 3 — Deferrable

Companion care, light housekeeping — services that can be safely delayed 24-48 hours.

Know which tier each of your patients falls into before an emergency occurs.

Your Actions

Your Role During a Weather Emergency

Do not leave a patient alone during an active tornado warning or dangerous weather
Move the patient to the safest location (interior room, lowest floor, no windows)
After the threat passes, notify your supervisor
Document all emergency actions in your visit note
For winter storms — if roads are impassable, call supervisor before deciding to stay or leave

Drills are not disruptions — they are the mechanism that ensures you know what to do when a real emergency occurs.

What Would You Do?

Scenario

Situation

It is a Tuesday morning in April. Jerome is mid-visit with Mr. A, an 83-year-old oxygen-dependent patient who lives alone, when a tornado warning is issued for the county. The sky is turning dark green.

A) Finish the visit quickly and leave before the storm hits
B) Ask Mr. A if he'd like to move to a safe room
C) Immediately move Mr. A and his portable oxygen to an interior room on the lowest floor
D) Call supervisor and wait for instructions before acting

Correct Answer: C

Immediate Action Required

A tornado warning means rotation has been detected. Do not wait for supervisor direction.

Move Mr. A and his portable oxygen to the hallway bathroom — interior, no windows
Cover Mr. A with a blanket to protect from flying debris
Stay with Mr. A until the warning is lifted
Check home for damage, check Mr. A for injury
Call supervisor to report
Document: time of warning, patient's condition, all actions taken

Summary

Key Takeaways

Know the four CMS elements of emergency preparedness
Identify your high-risk patients and know their emergency plans
Tornado WARNING = immediate action — do not wait for instructions
Power outage + oxygen patient = call supervisor immediately if backup is insufficient
Know your patients' business continuity tier before emergencies occur
Drill participation is mandatory — CMS requires documented training for all staff

Annual Refresher R04 Complete