NIMS: Guidance for HPP 2012

The NIMS objectives for hospitals have been reduced from 14 to 11 and there is some new clarification and guidance. The changes, effective July 1, 2012, include:

Combining Object s 8 & 10: Promote and ensure that hospital processes, equipment, communication and data interoperability facilitate the collection and distribution of consistent and accurate information with local and state partners during an incident or event

Combining Objectives 11 & 12: Manage all emergency incidents, exercises, and preplanned (recurring/special) events with consistent application of ICS organizational strucutres, doctrine, processes and procedures.

Combining Objectives 13 & 14: Adopt the principle of Public Information, facilitated by the use of the Joint Information System (JIS) and Joint Information Center (JIC) ensuring that Public Information procedures and processes gather, verify, coordinate and disseminate information during an incident or event.

Revised guidance for personnel requiring NIMS related training (reduced emphasis on IS 800 for hosptial staff and clarification of staff needing IS 100, 200 and 700) Note: From reading the Implemention Guidance I’m not reallying seeing a reduced emphasis on IS800. I’ll follow-up on this one and report back.

Each of the 11 objectives are important, because compliance is a condition to receive Federal Preparedness Assistance, such as receipt of funds from the Hospital Preparedness Program. These funds are to be used to maintain, refine and enhance healthcare organization capabilities, as well as, exercising and improving preparedness plans for all hazards.

In addition, compliance with NIMS is also required for receipt of some FEMA funds after a declared disaster has impacted a healthcare organization.

I’m preparing to audit several hospitals in 2012 for compliance with the NIMS Objectives and welcome you to contact me if I can do the same for you. Write to Christina {at} cthielst {dot} com.