Emergency Preparedness

resources and assets will be made by the Incident Commander predicated by the disaster and current and potential impact. 11. How and under what circumstances the hospital will communicate that names of patients and the deceased with other healthcare organizations in its contiguous geographic area: Consistent with The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as local laws and regulations and surrounding confidentiality of patient information, Kern Medical will communicate the names of the patients and the deceased with other healthcare organizations in its contiguous geographic area through normal communication channels if operational, only with an individual designated to be the PIO. If normal communications are not operating, the Liaison Officer, in coordination with the PIO, will transfer information to the County through backup communications equipment or HAM radio (including agencies having jurisdiction, such as the police and fire). 12. How and under what circumstances the hospital will communicate information about patients to third parties (such as other healthcare organizations, the state health department, police, and the FBI): The circumstances for communicating information about patients with community third parties will be any disaster event (of an internal or external nature) that affects the community health and safety within the hospital environment and as required by laws and regulations. The HCC may communicate pertinent patient-related information to third parties. Such parties may include: • The Kern County Department of Health Services Consistent with The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as well as local laws and regulations and surrounding confidentiality of patient information, the PIO will establish a plan to communicate pertinent patient information to third parties – including when patients are relocated to an alternative care site. Every attempt will be made to remain consistent with law and regulation surrounding patient confidentiality. The plan to communicate patient information will include minimally the following: 13. How the hospital will communicate with identified alternative care sites: In the event the facility is deemed unsuitable for continued occupancy or cannot support adequate patient care, communication will be coordinated through a collaborative effort between the HCC, and Section Chiefs. The management of patient materials, transfer of medications, medical records, medical equipment, as well as transportation arrangements and tracking patients to and from the alternative care site(s) is also a • Bakersfield Fire Department • Kern County EMS Agency • The Department of Homeland Security • Law enforcement agencies such as Bakersfield Police or the FBI