<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 10.30.01.11" title_num="10" subtitle_num="30" chapter_num="01" heading="Miscellaneous Items.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A serious occurrence which threatens the safety and health of the patients shall be reported immediately by a facility to the Commission, local health department, and the Office of Health Care Quality of the Department.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In the event of a natural disaster or other imminent threat to the safety or health of a group of dialysis patients, the Secretary may immediately authorize, with timely notification of all involved professional personnel and patients, the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Relocation of an existing dialysis facility or center; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Transfer of dialysis patients in accordance with medical needs.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Emergency Management.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A kidney dialysis facility shall have an emergency plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An emergency plan shall include policies and procedures that will be followed before, during, and after an emergency to address:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The safe management of individuals who are receiving services at the kidney dialysis facility when an emergency occurs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <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 facility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Staff coverage, organization, and assignment of responsibilities; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The continuity of operations, including procedures to secure access to essential goods, equipment, and dialysis services.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>This regulation does not prohibit a kidney dialysis facility from applying for and receiving reimbursement:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Under any applicable insurance policy; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>From any State or federal funds that may be available due to a declared State or federal emergency.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A kidney dialysis facility 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="(5)">
      <text>For purposes of coordinating local emergency planning efforts, a kidney dialysis facility shall provide access to the emergency plan developed under this regulation to local organizations for emergency management.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A dialysis provider shall provide to the Commission a 24/7 live operational contact phone number.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Information Regarding the Status of Generators. A kidney dialysis facility shall have:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An on-site generator;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The capacity to hook up a generator; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A 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="(8)">
      <text>If the center has no plan to use the services of a generator, the center shall provide to the Commission a copy of the center's emergency plan that will demonstrate that all measures possible are in place to avoid disruption of dialysis services to patients.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>