Nursing Home Emergency
Preparedness Checklist

This checklist is to be reviewed and updated annually to ensure all emergency preparedness protocols are current and comprehensive. Staff members are required to familiarize themselves with this checklist and participate in all related training sessions.

Emergency Plan Basics

• Comprehensive Emergency Plan Documentation: Ensure that a written emergency plan is in place, detailing procedures for all potential emergencies, including natural disasters, pandemics, and security threats.
  

• Contact Information: Maintain an updated list of contact information for all employees, residents, local emergency services, hospitals, and other critical contacts.
  

• Evacuation Procedures: Develop and document evacuation procedures for different types of emergencies, ensuring routes are accessible and clearly marked.
  

• Shelter-in-Place Procedures: Establish protocols for situations where evacuation is not possible, including necessary supplies and communication methods.
  

• Emergency Kits: Prepare emergency kits that include medical supplies, food, water, and other essentials, ensuring they are easily accessible throughout the facility.
  

• Special Needs Considerations: Account for the needs of residents with disabilities, including mobility, hearing, vision, and cognitive impairments in all emergency plans.

Training and Drills

• Staff Training: Conduct regular training sessions for all staff members on emergency procedures, including first aid, evacuation, and communication protocols.
  

• Resident Preparedness: Educate residents on emergency plans, encouraging them to participate in drills and understand their role in an emergency.
  

• Emergency Drills: Schedule regular emergency drills for different scenarios, evaluating and refining procedures based on feedback and observations.
  

• Communication Training: Train staff in the use of communication tools and protocols to ensure effective communication during an emergency.

Communication Plan

• Emergency Communication System: Implement a reliable system for communicating with staff, residents, and emergency services during an emergency.
  

• Family Communication Plan: Establish a procedure for notifying residents' families in the event of an emergency, including regular updates as the situation evolves.
  

• Media Relations: Designate a spokesperson to handle media inquiries during an emergency, ensuring accurate and consistent information is provided.

Collaboration with Local Services

• Emergency Services Coordination: Foster relationships with local emergency services to ensure a coordinated response in the event of an emergency.
  

• Community Resources: Identify and collaborate with community resources that can provide additional support during an emergency, such as local shelters and food banks.
  

• Mutual Aid Agreements: Establish mutual aid agreements with other nursing homes and healthcare facilities for resource sharing during widespread emergencies.

Review and Improvement

• After-Action Reviews: Following an emergency or drill, conduct a thorough review of the response, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
  

• Update Emergency Plan: Regularly update the emergency plan to reflect changes in regulations, facility layout, resident needs, and lessons learned from drills and actual emergencies.
  

• Continuous Training: Ensure ongoing training and education for staff on the latest emergency preparedness practices and innovations.

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