64-3: SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER
64-3.010: Authority
64-3.020: Definition of a "Person With Special Needs"
64-3.030: Guidelines for Special Needs Shelter Staffing Levels
64-3.040: Definition of Special Needs Shelter Supplies and Equipment
64-3.050: Special Needs Shelter Registration Process
64-3.060: Addressing the Needs of Families
64-3.070: Pre-event Planning Activities
64-3.080: Service Reimbursement
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rules is to implement Section 381.0303(3) and Section 381.0303(6), F.S. The statute establishes requirements for definitions, guidelines and standards related to persons with special needs, the registration process for persons with special needs and special needs shelters.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Special Needs Shelter.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 381.0303(3), (6) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 381.0303(3), (6) FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: November 29, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: RA Gray Building, Heritage Hall – Auditorium, First Floor, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
DATE AND TIME: December 6, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: University Of Central Florida – Downtown Orlando Campus, Ying Academic Center, Room 109, 36 West Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Christie Brown, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C27, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1711, Phone Number: (850)245-4444, Extension: 3871
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:
64-3.010 Authority.
These rules regarding the special needs shelters are adopted pursuant to Section 381.0303,
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(a)-(g) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(a)-(g) FS. History–New________.
64-3.020 Definition of a “Person With Special Needs”.
(1) A person with special needs is defined as a person who during periods of evacuation, either mandatory or voluntary, will require assistance that exceeds the basic level of care provided at the general population shelter but will not require the level of skilled medical care provided at institutional facilities.
(2) Criteria for special needs shelter client may include, but not be limited to:
(a) A person with a stable medical condition that requires periodic observation, assessment, and maintenance e.g., glucose readings, vital signs, ostomy care, urinary catheter.
(b) A person requiring periodic wound care assistance, e.g., dressing changes.
(c) A person with limitations that requires assistance with activities of daily living.
(d) A person requiring and needing assistance with oral, subcutaneous or intramuscular injectable, or topical medication.
(e) A person requiring minimal assistance with ambulation, position change and transfer i.e. able to move more than 100 feet with or without an assistive device.
(f) A person requiring oxygen that can be manually supplied.
(g) A person medically dependent on uninterrupted electricity for therapies including but not limited to oxygen, nebulizer, and feeding tubes. Ventilator dependent persons and persons with multiple special needs requiring a higher level of care, may need to be referred to a skilled medical facility.
(h) A person with mental or cognitive limitations requiring assistance who is accompanied by an appropriate fulltime caregiver for the duration of their stay in the shelter.
(i) A person requiring fulltime care who is accompanied by an appropriate fulltime caregiver for the duration of their stay in the shelter.
(j) A person whose weight does not exceed the safety weight restrictions of provided cots.
(k) A person who can be safely transferred and does not require specialty lifting or transferring equipment. A person requiring a stretcher to be transported may need to be referred to a higher skilled medical facility.
(3) Special needs shelter services provided during an emergency are supplied when practical, in an environment that can help to maintain pre-disaster levels of health.
(4) Every reasonable effort should be made to avoid admitting a client with a known infectious condition, who requires isolation, e.g. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or who requires respiratory isolation such as infectious Tuberculosis (TB).
(5) Counties with special needs shelters having resources that can safely accept a person exceeding the above criteria may choose to do so.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(a) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(a) FS. History–New________.
64-3.030 Guidelines for Special Needs Shelter Staffing Levels.
(1) Each special needs shelter will be staffed at a minimum with one registered nurse or advanced registered nurse practitioner on every shift during the sheltering event.
(2) When practical, the special needs shelter will be additionally staffed with one licensed practitioner such as a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner or medical doctor per 20 special needs shelter clients per shift during the sheltering event.
(3) When practical, the special needs shelter will be additionally staffed with one unlicensed personnel per 20 special needs shelter clients per shift during the sheltering event.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(c) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(c) FS. History–New________.
64-3.040 Definition of Special Needs Shelter Supplies and Equipment.
(1) Special needs shelter supplies and equipment are the items necessary to provide services in a special needs shelter during an emergency to help maintain the client’s pre-disaster levels of health.
(2) The Department of Health will maintain a list of recommended special needs shelter supplies and equipment which will be provided upon request.
(3) The client or client’s Home Medical Equipment provider will be required to bring all life sustaining or life supporting equipment to the special needs shelter in accordance with Section 400.925(13) and Section 400.934(20)(a)1., Florida Statutes.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(d) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(d) FS. History–New________.
64-3.050 Special Needs Shelter Registration Process.
(1) The registry application will gather information on the person with special needs including but not limited to the following:
(a) Full name.
(b) Phone number and street address including the city and zip code.
(c) Medicare or Medicaid number.
(d) Social Security number.
(e) Height and weight.
(f) Primary language.
(g) Emergency Contact information for a local and non-local emergency point of contact including the name, relationship, and phone number.
(h) Residence type and living situation whether alone or with a relative or caregiver.
(i) Any type of medical dependence on electricity, such as oxygen concentrator, nebulizer, feeding pump, continuous positive airway pressure equipment suction equipment or medication requiring refrigeration.
(j) Any type of medical dependence on oxygen, including the type, rate and mode of administration.
(k) Any assistance required with medications including insulin injections or insulin pump.
(l) Any cognitive impairment, mental health problems, psychiatric or personality disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism, conduct disorder, anxiety, and depression.
(m) Any sensory loss or impairment and any related assistive device.
(n) Any mobility impairment and any related assistive device.
(o) Any use of a trained service animal.
(p) Any type of incontinence or dependence on dialysis.
(q) Do not resuscitate status.
(r) Name and contact information for any other medical support providers, such as primary medical doctor, home health agency, hospice, nurse registry, home medical equipment provider, dialysis center, and pharmacy.
(s) A list of all medical conditions, such as allergies, immune suppression, tracheostomy, and central venous line.
(t) A list of all medications including nutritional supplements and over the counter pharmaceuticals.
(u) Any transportation needs.
(v) Name and health condition of any caregiver and family to accompany them to a shelter in an evacuation event and identify if the caregiver is aware of the client’s care needs and the extent to which he is able to provide the necessary care.
(w) Any type of dietary formula or dietary restrictions.
(2) The registry application will be provided to the county health department at pre-determined intervals established jointly by the county emergency management and the county health department, at least twice annually.
(3) The county health department will review the registry application to determine if the applicant is appropriate to place in the special needs shelter during an evacuation event. The county health department will subsequently notify the county emergency management agency of the determination and if approved for placement in the special needs shelter, the individual will be added to the county emergency management agency’s special needs shelter list.
(4) The applications of all persons with special needs which are on the county emergency management agency’s special needs shelter will be provided upon request to the county health department immediately prior to or during a sheltering event.
(5) Persons with special needs who are unregistered, but who arrive at the special needs shelter during a sheltering event will be assessed at the point of intake to the activated SpNS, and a determination for appropriate shelter placement will be made. If the individual is determined to be appropriately placed in the special needs shelter, he will be sheltered at the special needs shelter. During the sheltering event, the registry application information will be gathered and provided back to the county emergency management agency who will add the individual to the special needs shelter list.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(e) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(e) FS. History–New________.
64-3.060 Addressing the Needs of Families.
(1) Families, with a dependent who is eligible for admission to a special needs shelter, will be allowed to shelter together in the special needs shelter.
(2) Adults, with special needs who are caregivers for individuals without special needs, will be allowed to shelter together in the special needs shelter.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(f) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(f) FS. History–New________.
64-3.070 Pre-event Planning Activities.
In cooperation with the local emergency management agency, the county health department will seek the participation of hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, nurse registries, home health equipment providers, oxygen providers, dialysis centers, and other health and medical emergency preparedness stakeholders in pre-event planning activities.
Specific Authority 381.0303(6)(g) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(6)(g) FS. History–New________.
64-3.080 Service Reimbursement.
Text is not available at this time.
Specific Authority 381.0303(3)(a)2., 381.0303(6)(b) FS. Law Implemented 381.0303(3)(a)2., 381.0303(3)(b), 381.0303(6)(b) FS. History–New________.