RCFE - Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Questions and Answers 1 โ Questions and Answers
Question 1: An RCFE is located in an area under a mandatory evacuation order due to a wildfire. The facility's primary pre-arranged relocation site is also within the evacuation zone. According to Title 22 disaster planning requirements, what is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the administrator to take?
- Contact the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) for instructions on where to evacuate.
- Implement the plan to evacuate to the facility's designated secondary relocation site outside the immediate area. (Correct answer)
- Shelter in place and wait for emergency responders to arrive and assist with the evacuation.
- Arrange transportation to the nearest hospital, as it is considered a safe location.
Correct answer: Implement the plan to evacuate to the facility's designated secondary relocation site outside the immediate area.
California Health and Safety Code ยง1569.695 requires RCFE disaster plans to include at least two appropriate shelter locations, with one being outside of the immediate area. When the primary site is compromised, the plan should direct the facility to use the secondary site.
Question 2: Which of the following is a mandatory component of an RCFE's written Emergency and Disaster Plan according to California Code of Regulations, Title 22, section 87212?
- A list of each resident's preferred hospital.
- A signed agreement with a local hotel for temporary housing.
- Designation of administrative authority and staff assignments. (Correct answer)
- A media communication strategy approved by corporate headquarters.
Correct answer: Designation of administrative authority and staff assignments.
Title 22, section 87212 explicitly states that the disaster and mass casualty plan must include the 'Designation of administrative authority and staff assignments' to ensure clear roles and responsibilities during an emergency.
Question 3: During a disaster drill, the administrator of a 40-bed RCFE notices that staff on the night shift are unsure of their specific roles in an evacuation. What is the BEST course of action to address this issue?
- Provide all night shift staff with a written copy of the disaster plan to read on their own.
- Conduct a targeted training session and a follow-up drill specifically for the night shift staff. (Correct answer)
- Assume the day shift will handle any emergency and focus training efforts on them.
- Post a simplified version of the evacuation plan in the break room.
Correct answer: Conduct a targeted training session and a follow-up drill specifically for the night shift staff.
Title 22 requires that staff from all shifts participate in drills and be trained on the emergency plan. Discovering a knowledge gap requires active training and practice (a follow-up drill) to ensure competency, rather than passive methods like reading a document.
Question 4: A severe earthquake disrupts power and communication lines at an RCFE. The facility's emergency plan should have provisions to ensure it can operate self-sufficiently for what minimum period?
- 24 hours
- 48 hours
- 72 hours (Correct answer)
- One week
Correct answer: 72 hours
California Health & Safety Code ยง1569.695 requires RCFEs to develop procedures to be self-reliant for a minimum of 72 hours. This includes having adequate food, water, medications, and other supplies to care for residents without outside assistance.
Question 5: According to California regulations, all RCFE employees must receive training on the emergency and disaster plan at which of the following frequencies?
- Upon hire only.
- Every two years.
- Upon hire and whenever the plan is updated.
- Upon hire and annually thereafter. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Upon hire and annually thereafter.
Regulations require that all RCFE employees must be trained on the community's emergency preparedness plan upon hire and annually. This ensures that all staff, both new and existing, are consistently aware of and prepared to implement emergency procedures.
Question 6: An RCFE's emergency plan must include a plan for evacuation. Which of the following elements is a required part of the evacuation plan under Title 22?
- Procedures for contacting residents' family members within one hour of the evacuation.
- Arrangements for the safe and efficient transportation of residents. (Correct answer)
- A pre-approved budget for all potential evacuation-related expenses.
- A list of staff members who have volunteered to use their personal vehicles for transport.
Correct answer: Arrangements for the safe and efficient transportation of residents.
Title 22, section 87212(b)(2) specifies that the plan for evacuation must include transportation arrangements. This is critical for ensuring residents, especially those with mobility issues, can be moved safely to the relocation site.
An RCFE is located in an area under a mandatory evacuation order due to a wildfire.
The facility's primary pre-arranged relocation site is also within the evacuation zone.
According to Title 22 disaster planning requirements, what is the MOST appropriate immediate action for the administrator to take?