Preparedness Resources for Partners

Resources for Health Departments, Tribes and Health Care Systems

COVID-19 Emergency Rule: Designation of Emergency Health Care Centers

Need for the Rule

The Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, Health Security, Preparedness and Response section has temporarily amended OAR 333-003-0130 pertaining to designation of emergency health care centers during an impending public health crisis.

The amendments to OAR 333-003-0130 make the requirements for requesting designation as an emergency health care center clearer and provide more specificity about what needs to be included in an operations plan and a credentialing plan that must be submitted with the request. This clarification and specificity are necessary to ensure that a facility that is designated as an emergency health care center for COVID-19 positive patients can safely house these patients while protecting the health and safety of facility staff and visitors. The amendments also clarify that a designated emergency health care center must report certain information to the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division, including information about the status of the center and the individuals being served, as specified in the designation order. This clarification for reporting is necessary to ensure that the Division can effectively support and monitor the facility to best prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

For more details, see the documents below:

• Notice to Interested Parties
• Temporary Administrative Order (Including Statement of Need and Justification)

If you would prefer a hardcopy to be sent, please send an email to publichealth.rules@dhsoha.state.or.us.

See current Disease Reporting rules.

Cyanotoxins in Public Drinking Water Systems

In 2018, the Oregon Health Authority developed rules related to cyanotoxins in drinking water. Below are links to more information and resources from OHA's Drinking Water Services.

• Cyanotoxin resources for drinking water
• Key contacts and Drinking Water Services resources in an emergency

Influenza Guidance for Hospitals

Hospitals and medical providers in Oregon are encountering a high number of patients seeking medical care due to flu symptoms and an increase in bed capacity.

• Hospital Checklist (PDF):Use this checklist as a guide for hospitals and health care facilities to prepare for, and respond to medical surge.
• Hospital Medical Surge FAQ (PDF): Hospitals are seeking guidance from the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) related to surge capacity, variances, and EMS requirements. This document was developed to explain regulatory limitations and to outline potentially useful options as they respond to the current situation.
• Oregon Facility Transfer Guidance (PDF): Patient admissions and transfers during periods of widespread influenza activity can create unusually high demand for emergency and inpatient services.

Additional resources

• Regional Hospital Visitation Policy Recommendation (PDF)
• Regional Hospital Mask Use Policy Recommendation (PDF)
• EMTALA requirements during a disaster (PDF)

Shortage of Saline, Other Medications and Medical Supplies (2017-2018)

Hurricane-related damage to Baxter Healthcare Corporation facilities in Puerto Rico has led to declines in production of small-volume bags of saline and other medications. The resources below may be of assistance to healthcare partners concerned about these supply shortages during this challenging time.

Additional resources

• FDA/ASHP Guidance in Response to Current Saline and Medications Shortage (PDF)
• Small-Volume Parenteral Solutions Shortages Suggestions for Management and Conservation (PDF)
• FDA Drug Shortage website
• FDA Commissioner update on ongoing shortages related to IV fluids (January 16, 2018)

New CMS Preparedness Rules Resources (as of January 2017)

The Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers regulation is 651 pages. The beginning is essentially the responses to suggestions and inquiries that were captured during the public comment period. The middle section details estimated costs associated with implementing the rule within provider sectors. The last 50 pages is dedicated to the breakdown of the individual rule requirements for each provider type. Find your provider type and read the requirements carefully. The core elements are essentially the same but there is distinction regarding conducting testing and some variance in infrastructure mitigation and preparation.

See the following links for more information on:

Documentation review

• CMS Emergency Preparedness Final Rule Crosswalk July 2017, Version 3 (PDF)
• CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule Implementation March 2017 (PDF)
• 17 Facility- Provider Supplier Types Impacted (PDF)
• EP Rule - Table Requirements by Provider Type (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Round One (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Round Two (PDF)
• CMS Preparedness Rule Page
• ASPR TRACIE CMS Rule Page
• ASPR TRACIE CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule by provider type (PDF)

Initiating preparedness assessments

• TRACIE Topic Collection: Hazard Vulnerability & Risk Assessment
• Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness & Continuity Management Systems (PDF)
• California Hospital Association: Hazard Vulnerability Analysis Tool

Emergency planning

• TRACIE Topic Collection: Emergency Operations Plans/ Emergency Management Program
• TRACIE Topic Collection: Communication Systems

Training resources

• TRACIE Topic Collection Incident Management Training
• FEMA Independent Study Program

Researching testing and exercising

• TRACIE Topic Collection Exercise Program Design, Evaluation & Facilitation
• HSEEP Preparedness Toolkit

Pediatric Surge

Pediatric Annex for a Hospital Emergency Operations Plan 
Regional Pediatric Specialty Care Capacity Report

Surge Planning Toolkit:

• Surge Planning Master Spreadsheet
• Hospital Pediatric Surge Toolkit
• Hospital Pediatric Surge Toolkit - Worksheet 1
• Hospital Pediatric Surge Toolkit - Worksheet 2
• Hospital Pediatric Surge Toolkit - Worksheet 3
• Pediatric Surge Summit Highlights: Surge Planning Toolkit Basics (video)

Publications

• 2017 Public Health Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (PDF)
• 2013 Public Health Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (PDF)
• Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness Strategic Work Plan (PDF)
• Oregon Office of Emergency Management Training Calendar
• Ready to Respond Newsletters
• SERV-OR Newsletters
  

Partner Sites

• Oregon Region 1 Hospital Emergency Preparedness
• Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
• Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), Preparedness Committee
• Portland Oregon Cities Readiness Initiative: Preparing Together Discussion Guide and Toolkit

Event Archives

• ECHO Preparedness Summit, October 2015