PUBLISHED: September 2023
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Although most nursing homes met Federal emergency preparedness requirements, an estimated 77 percent reported challenges with preparedness activities intended to ensure that resident care needs are met during an emergency. The most frequently cited concerns among nursing homes were ensuring proper staffing during emergencies and transporting residents during evacuations.

OIG has identified emergency preparedness and nursing home safety as priorities. Nursing home failures to adequately plan for and respond to public health emergencies and natural disasters have led to tragic results. Although such outcomes were not typical, they point to the need to identify the source of breakdowns and to strengthen nursing home preparedness efforts.

Office of the Inspector General. “Nursing Home Capabilities and Collaboration to Ensure Resident Care During Emergencies”.” Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Sep. 2023, oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-06-22-00100.asp, September 2023.