Emergency Preparedness

Appendix Q.1

During disasters, Kern Medical may assign disaster privileges to volunteer practitioners who are licensed independent practitioners, but who are required by law and regulation to have a license, certification, or registration when the Emergency Operations Plan has been activated in response to a disaster and the hospital is unable to meet immediate needs. Human Resources Emergency Disaster Plan for Volunteer Practitioners I. Purpose: It is the goal of Kern Medical to ensure that there is a process to authorize volunteer practitioners who do not currently possess employment status or clinical privileges at this hospital to provide patient care in circumstances in which the medical center’s disaster plan has been activated. II. Background: The Joint Commission (TJC) standard EM.02.02.13 states the hospital may assign disaster responsibilities to volunteer practitioners when Kern Medical’s Disaster Plan has been activated, and the hospital is unable to meet the immediate need of the patients. III.Definitions: LIP – Licensed Independent Practitioner - An individual permitted by law (MD, DO, Clinical Psychologist, NP, PA) and by the medical center to provide medical care and services, without direction or supervision, within the scope of that individual’s license and consistent with individually granted clinical privileges. LP – Licensed Practitioner - An individual permitted by law (i.e., RN, LVN, RT, PT, Radiological Technician, Ultrasound Technician, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Assistant, Clinical Pharmacist, Pharmacist, Pharmacist Technician, Dietician) and the hospital to provide medical care and services under direction and / or supervision, within the scope of that individual’s license and consistent with hospital protocols and scopes of service. Certified Practitioner – An individual permitted by law (i.e., Nursing Assistant) and the hospital to provide medical care and services under direction and / or supervision, within the scope of that individual’s certification and consistent with hospital protocols and scopes of service. Non-Licensed /Certified personnel – An individual that does not possess as required by law or hospital protocol, necessary licensure or certifications necessary to provide medical care or services in any capacity. This would include any and all students that do not possess licensure or certification as indicated above, as well as non-clinical staff. Disaster – Incidents leading to wide-ranging disruption of services requiring evacuation and /or causing serious injuries or fatalities (escalating emergencies).

May 2008

Incident Command System Training

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