Are you confident that all members of your staff and your patients are aware of what to do in an emergency? Are you prepared to review your facility’s emergency planning with a state surveyor? Can you, your staff, and your patients:

Describe the facility’s emergency preparedness program?

• Staff and patients should be able to explain what they would do in an emergency, based upon what they have learned in training and drills.

Know where to find the facility’s emergency plan and documentation?

• Staff should know where the plan is, and who the leads are in an emergency.
• Patients should have, at least, an emergency contact sheet and a copy of their dialysis orders.

If you answered NO to either of these questions, find out who the emergency lead is at your facility, and work with them to ensure that you, your staff, and your patients are prepared.

For more information visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (HHS ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE)’s Tools and Templates webpage at https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/technical-resources/50/dialysis-centers/47#plans-tools-and-templates.