Emergencies and disasters can happen at any moment - and they usually occur without warning. When an emergency strikes, our immediate safety and prompt recovery will depend on the existing levels of preparedness of our facility and staff.  To comply with CMS requirements and to protect the health, safety and well-being of our patients, staff and visitors, LifeCare will develop, maintain and continuously review plans that comply with Federal, State and local emergency preparedness requirements.   The Plans describe how our organization will:

• Protect the safety of staff, patients, and visitors;

• Safeguard vital records and resources;

• Coordinate emergency response and recovery procedures.

It is understood that due to the scenario and/or situation, the intensity of the disaster may increase or decrease during the duration of the incident. Governing Body has the authority to be able to escalate the response and deactivate the response at the appropriate time. While our Emergency Plans have attempted to address those situations in which our organization is most at risk, it is understood that these plans do not take the place of common sense and cannot cover each and every emergency that our organization and staff may face. Because of this, the following guidelines apply to our organization:

WE WILL MITIGATE AND PREPARE BY:

• Developing and maintaining written comprehensive plans for emergency management based on our Risk Assessment;

• Training and educating staff on all aspects of emergency management at time of hire and routinely thereafter;

• Practicing our preparedness and response through drills;

• Learning best practice through participation in local healthcare coalition activities;

• Maintaining necessary supplies and back-up systems to maximize safety and operations;

• Monitoring local and national alert systems so that we can receive advance warning whenever possible.

WE WILL RESPOND BY:

• Following our Emergency Plans and local authority;

• Using good judgment and common sense when situations warrant a deviation from the plans;

• Relying on local authority to provide final guidance on all subjects.

WE WILL RECOVER:

We intend to stay “Open for Business”. We will seek to maintain and restore operations in any situation.