Document Citation: 9 CCR 784.25

Header:
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
TITLE 9. REHABILITATIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
DIVISION 1. DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
CHAPTER 3.5. MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION CENTERS
ARTICLE 4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Date:
08/31/2009

Document:
§ 784.25. External Disaster and Mass Casualty Program

(a) A written external disaster and mass casualty program plan shall be adopted and followed. The plan shall be developed with the advice and assistance of county or regional and local planning offices and shall not conflict with county and community disaster plans. A copy of the plan shall be available on the premises for review by the Department.

(b) The plan shall provide procedures in event of community and widespread disasters. The written plan shall include at least the following:

(1) Sources of emergency utilities and supplies, including gas, water, food and essential medical supportive materials.

(2) Procedures for assigning personnel and recalling off-duty personnel.

(3) Unified medical command; chart of lines of emergency authority in the mental health rehabilitation center.

(4) Procedures for the conversion of all usable space into areas for client observation and immediate care of emergency admissions.

(5) Prompt transfer of casualties when necessary and after preliminary medical services have been rendered, to the mental health rehabilitation center most appropriate for administering definitive care. Procedures for moving clients from damaged areas of the mental health rehabilitation center to undamaged areas.

(6) Arrangements for provision of transportation of clients including emergency housing where indicated. Procedures for emergency transfers of clients who need to be moved to health care facilities, including arrangements for safe and efficient transportation and transfer information.

(7) Procedures for emergency discharge of clients who can be discharged without jeopardy into the community, including prior arrangements for their care, arrangements for safe and efficient transportation and at least one follow-up inquiry within 24 hours, to ascertain that clients are receiving required care.

(8) Procedures for maintaining a record of client relocation.

(9) An evacuation plan, including evacuation routes, emergency phone numbers of physicians, health facilities, the fire department and local emergency medical services agencies and arrangements for the safe transfer of clients after evacuation.

(10) A tag containing all pertinent personal and medical information which shall accompany each client who is moved, transferred, discharged or evacuated.

(11) Procedures for maintaining security in order to keep relatives, visitors and curious persons out of the mental health rehabilitation center during a disaster.

(12) Procedures for providing emergency care to incoming clients from other facilities.

(13) Assignment of public relations liaison duties to a responsible individual employed by the mental health rehabilitation center to release information to the public during a disaster.

(c) The plan shall be reviewed at least annually and revised as necessary to ensure that the plan is current. All personnel shall be instructed in the requirements of the plan. There shall be evidence in the personnel files, or the orientation checklist, indicating that all new employees have been oriented to the plan and procedures at the beginning of their employment.

(d) The mental health rehabilitation center shall participate in all local and state disaster drills and test exercises when asked to do so by the local or state disaster or emergency medical services agencies.

(e) A disaster drill shall be held by the mental health rehabilitation center at six (6)-month intervals. There shall be a written report of the mental health rehabilitation center's participation in each drill or test exercise. Staff from all shifts shall participate in drills or test exercises.