Nursing home representatives in Florida said facilities are better prepared for the hurricane season this year due to a new state generator law, more training and other efforts, according to a WJHG/WECP report.
"Our facilities have been doing disaster drills, working their emergency preparedness plans, training their staff, making sure they have everything they need to be ready for hurricane season," said Kristen Knapp with the Florida Health Care Association, an advocacy organization focused on long-term care providers, according to the report.
She added facilities learned from the previous hurricane season and are committed the safety of residents.
Last fall, 14 residents died when Hollywood, Fla.-based Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills lost power and air conditioning in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration immediately suspended the facility's license. The facility is trying to get its license reinstated, according to the report.
An expert witness on heat stroke recently testified in relation to the issue, and was asked by an attorney representing the nursing home, "What would be some of the reasonable things you would expect people to do in responding to such an emergency ?" according to the report.
The witness responded: "I am not aware of any national standards for this population when it comes to prevention, recognition and treatment of heat stroke."
After what happened at the Hollywood Hills facility after Hurricane Irma, Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott on March 26 signed legislation requiring all nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state to have emergency generators.
According to the report, facilities have until June 1 to comply. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November.
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