Section 146.295  Emergency Contingency Plan

For the purpose of this Section, "emergency" means physical abuse involving physical injury, sexual abuse, a crime, or death of a resident that occurs as the result of actions by a staff member, visitor or another resident or an event, as a result of a mechanical failure or natural force such as water, wind, fire or loss of electrical power, that poses a threat to the safety and welfare of residents, personnel, and others present in the SLF.

a)         Each SLF shall have a written plan, which shall be part of the SLF's Quality Assurance Plan, for protection of all persons in the event of an emergency, for keeping persons in place, for evacuating persons to areas of refuge, and for evacuating persons from the building when necessary. The plan shall:

1)         address the physical and cognitive needs of residents and include special staff response, including the procedures needed to ensure the safety of any resident.  The plan shall be amended or revised whenever any resident with unusual needs is admitted;

2)         provide for the temporary relocation of residents for any emergency requiring relocation;

3)         provide for the movement of residents to safe locations within the SLF in the event of a tornado warning or severe thunder storm warning issued by the National Weather Service;

4)         provide for the health, safety, welfare and comfort of all residents when the heat index/apparent temperature, as established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, inside the residents' living, dining, activities, or sleeping areas of the SLF exceeds a heat index/apparent temperature of 90°F;

5)         address power outages;

6)         include contingencies in the event of flooding, if located in a flood plain; and

7)         be reviewed by local emergency response entities, such as fire department, ambulance and EMT services.  The emergency response entities shall direct recommendations to the SLF concerning the SLF's plan and any issues that could be life threatening, and the SLFs shall make changes to the plan, as appropriate.

b)         All personnel employed on the premises shall be instructed in the emergency contingency plan and the use of fire extinguishers.

c)         A diagram of emergency evacuation routes shall be posted in at least all corridors and common areas and all personnel employed on the premises shall be aware of the route.

d)         There shall be a means of notification to the SLF when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning covering the area in which the SLF is located.  The notification mechanism must be other than commercial radio or television.  Notification measures include being within range of local tornado warning sirens, an operable National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio in the SLF, or arrangements with local public safety agencies (police, fire, ESDA) to be notified if a warning is issued.

e)         Each resident shall be oriented to the emergency plans within ten days after the resident's admission.  Orientation shall include assisting residents in identifying and using emergency exits.  Documentation of the orientation shall be signed and dated by the resident or the resident's representative.

f)          The SLF shall conduct at least two drills per year.

g)         The SLF shall evaluate the effectiveness of emergency plans, procedures and training.

h)         Drills shall include residents, SLF personnel, and other persons in the SLF.

i)          Drills shall include making a general announcement throughout the SLF that a drill is being conducted or sounding an emergency alarm.  Drills may be announced in advance to residents.

j)          Drills shall involve the actual evacuation of residents to an assembly point as specified in the emergency plan and shall provide residents with experience using various means of escape.

k)         A written evaluation of each drill shall be submitted to the SLF manager and the Quality Assurance Committee and shall be maintained for one year from the date of the drill.  The evaluation shall include the date and time of the drill, names of employees participating in the drill, and identification of any residents who received assistance for evacuation.

l)          The SLF shall contact local law enforcement authorities when physical abuse involving physical injury, sexual abuse, a crime, or death other than by disease processes occurs to a resident as the result of actions by a staff member, visitor or another resident.

m)        Upon the occurrence of any emergency requiring hospital service, police, fire department or coroner, the SLF manager or designee must provide a preliminary report to the Department by fax within 24 hours after the occurrence.  This preliminary report shall include, at a minimum:

1)         name and location of the SLF;

2)         type of emergency;

3)         number of injuries or deaths to residents;

4)         number of units not usable due to the occurrence;

5)         estimate of the extent of damages to the SLF;

6)         type of assistance needed, if any;

7)         location of displaced residents, if any; and

8)         other State or local agencies notified about the problem.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 8845, effective May 1, 2006)