<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".14" citation="COMAR 10.05.04.14" title_num="10" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="04" heading="Emergency Management.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A kidney dialysis center shall have an emergency plan.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An emergency plan shall include policies and procedures that will be followed before, during, and after an emergency to address:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The safe management of individuals who are receiving services at the kidney dialysis center when an emergency occurs;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Notification of patients, families, staff, and licensing authorities regarding actions that will be taken concerning the provision of dialysis services to the individuals served by the kidney dialysis center;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Staff coverage, organization, and assignment of responsibilities; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The continuity of operations, including procedures to secure access to essential goods, equipment, and dialysis services.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>This regulation does not prohibit a kidney dialysis center from applying for and receiving reimbursement:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Under any applicable insurance policy; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>From any State or federal funds that may be available due to a declared State or federal emergency.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A kidney dialysis center is solely responsible for any financial obligation arising from voluntary or mandatory activation of any aspect of the emergency plan developed by the kidney dialysis center under this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>For purposes of coordinating local emergency planning efforts, a kidney dialysis center shall provide access to the emergency plan developed under this regulation to local organizations for emergency management.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A dialysis provider shall provide the Office of Health Care Quality a 24/7 live operational contact phone number.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Information Regarding the Status of Generators. A kidney dialysis center shall provide one of the following regarding the status of generators:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Evidence of an on-site generator;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The capacity to hook up a generator; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A copy of the contract with a company who will provide a generator in the event of an emergency, if there is no on-site generator.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>If the center has no plan to use the services of a generator, the center shall provide a copy of the center's emergency plan to the Office of Health Care Quality that will demonstrate that all measures possible are in place to avoid disruption of dialysis services to patients.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>