South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL › Subchapter 61-125 - Consumer Electronic Equipment Collection and Recovery › Section 61-125.1400 - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS › Subsection 61-125.1401 - Disaster Preparedness. (II)

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
A.
				  All facilities shall develop, by contact and consultation with their county
				  emergency preparedness agency, a written plan for actions to be taken in the
				  event of a disaster and/or emergency evacuation. The plan shall be implemented
				  as necessary and at the time of need. Prior to initial licensing and at the
				  time of each license renewal, a completed form prescribed and furnished by the
				  Department addressing specific components of the plan shall be included with
				  each application submitted to the Department for license renewal. Additionally,
				  in instances where applications include an increase in the licensed bed
				  capacity, the plan shall be updated to address the proposed new total licensed
				  bed capacity and an updated form shall be provided to the Department with the
				  application. All staff members and volunteers shall be made familiar with this
				  plan and instructed as to any required actions of the plan. A copy of the plan
				  shall be available for inspection by the patient and/or responsible party and
				  the Department upon request. The plan shall be reviewed and updated annually,
				  and as appropriate. The facility shall conduct and document a rehearsal of the
				  emergency and disaster evacuation plan at least annually and shall not require
				  patient participation.
B.
				  Evacuation is a temporary measure in order to evacuate patients from
				  potentially hazardous and/or harmful circumstances and shall not exceed seven
				  (7) calendar days. In the event evacuated patients are unable to return to the
				  facility within seven (7) days due to damage to the facility or its components,
				  the lack of electricity and/or water, or other similar reasons, the facility
				  shall endeavor to assess each patient's current condition and identify each
				  patient's current needs and preferences. Based on the resources available, the
				  facility shall implement each patient's discharge plan. For patients needing
				  assistance or support following discharge, the facility shall coordinate the
				  transfer of the patients to their responsible parties or to appropriately
				  licensed facilities capable of meeting the patients' needs.
C. The disaster and/or emergency evacuation
				  plan shall include, but not be limited to:
1.
				  A sheltering plan to include:
a. The licensed
				  bed capacity and average occupancy rate;
b. Name, address and phone number of the
				  sheltering facility(ies) to which the patients will be relocated during a
				  disaster; and
c. A letter of
				  agreement signed by an authorized representative of each sheltering facility
				  which shall include: the number of relocated patients that can be accommodated;
				  sleeping, feeding, and medication plans for the relocated patients; and
				  provisions for accommodating relocated staff members and volunteers. The letter
				  shall be updated with the sheltering facility at least every three (3) years
				  and whenever significant changes occur. For those facilities located in
				  Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Georgetown, Horry, and Jasper counties, at
				  least one (1) sheltering facility shall be located in a county other than these
				  counties.