A wide range of standards and regulations are applicable to healthcare organizations during everyday operations and many remain in place during emergencies. It is important for those developing written instruments for a Healthcare Coalition to understand these standards and regulations and address them as appropriate. Examples of relevant healthcare standards are provided below.
- The Joint Commission: Although not all members of a Coalition may be accredited by The Joint Commission, their accreditation standards are relevant to many hospitals, long-term care facilities, behavioral health care facilities, and other Coalition partners. These include standards specific to emergency response.[9]
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other Federal regulations: CMS has multiple regulations that impact reimbursement for patients enrolled in their programs.[10] Federal regulations, such as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)[11] and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),[12] also have significant relevance to Healthcare Coalition operations.
- State and local regulations: States and local jurisdictions may have standards or regulations that impact Healthcare Coalitions operating in their area. These will necessarily vary among geographic regions and should also be addressed in conjunction with the Jurisdictional Agency (Tier 3).
- NIMS, NFPA 1600 and others: Multiple standards relevant to emergency response organizations should be examined by the Healthcare Coalition in structuring its plans and agreements. These include NIMS and the National Fire Protection Agency’s Standard 1600.[13]
- Additional information on The Joint Commission’s standards, including Emergency Management Standards, is available at: http://www.jointcommission.org/Standards/.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Regulations and Guidance. Accessed January 19, 2009 at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/regsguidance.asp.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Accessed January 19, 2009 at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/emtala/.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), “Understanding HIPAA Privacy.” Accessed January 19, 2009 at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/index.html.
- National Fire Protection Agency Standard 1600, 2007 Edition: Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. Accessed January 19, 2009 at: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/NFPA1600.pdf.
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