Long-Term Care
Ninety-two percent of 2,134 U.S. nursing homes have detailed evacuation plans, although just 3% of homes met all 25 standards as defined by recommendations from the Office of the Inspector General, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health.
The author found that:
- 96% of nursing homes had provisions to ensure water supply;
- 31% had specified evacuation routes; and
- Approximately 1.2% did not have written evacuation plans.
For-profit facilities and those with high concentrations of Medicaid beneficiaries were most likely to receive citations for inadequate disaster plans, according to the research.
The study recommends further research into the implementation of nursing home evacuation procedures -- especially during natural disasters -- which might lead to the development of best practices for evacuations (Castle, American Journal of Public Health, July 2008). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.