Home care and hospice providers routinely go above and beyond for keeping the most vulnerable New Yorkers safe in their homes and communities. In the last year alone, we’ve conquered operating and providing services in a post-public health emergency, winter blizzards, earthquake, a healthcare cyber-attack, and a summer filled with excessive heat, tornados and floodings. Let’s continue our efforts together to remain resilient and be prepared for the next imminent emergency.
HCA’s annual Emergency Preparedness (EP) conference will be held virtually on October 9, 2024. This full-day event will highlight your EP requirements, solidify your actions, and offer helpful tools. Attendees will hear from EP experts on how to develop a comprehensive emergency management plan; review the most frequently cited EP deficiencies; how home care and hospice providers can be proactive in their emergency management plans; how Artificial Intelligence Impacts EP; and hear from leaders and other community preparedness partners on recent events. The program will conclude with a tabletop exercise to assure your readiness and help attendees meet their state and/or federal exercise requirements.
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Arianna Stone, Director of Research and Development, Home Care Association of New York State
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM
Do’s and Don’ts for Developing a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Deanna Ratigan, Healthcare Preparedness Coordinator, New York State Department of Health Office of Health Emergency Preparedness
Home care and hospice providers are required to develop a written emergency preparedness plan, which is current and includes procedures to follow to meet the health and safety needs of their patients and staff prior to, during and after emergencies or disasters. Learn the essential elements for developing a functional and compliant emergency preparedness plan, as well as key resources, tools, and trainings available for providers.
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Break
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Most Frequently Cited EP Deficiencies and How To Avoid Them
Alison Sczerbaniewicz, NYS DOH, Upstate Area Office Director
It’s time to be prepared for the state’s ongoing surveillance activities, especially regarding your emergency preparedness plans!
This session will provide valuable insights on the top EP deficiencies found in DOH surveys of home care and hospice providers. In addition to the latest trends of surveillance, you will learn new strategies to: prepare your agency for surveying; how to be proactive in your EP plans; and review best practices, resources and tools for providers to address potential citations.
11:30 PM – 12:30 PM
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Emergency Preparedness on Home Care and Hospice Providers
Tom Kitchen, MECM, CEM®, Manager, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
AI-driven solutions are reshaping the way healthcare systems and professionals prepare for and respond to emergencies, whether they are natural disasters, pandemics, or other crises. Learn about the significant benefits AI brings in health and home care emergency preparedness by providing early warnings, optimizing resource allocation, enabling remote care, and integrating data for better decision-making, as well as ethical concerns that need careful consideration.
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – Lunch Break
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Home Care Workplace Safety Challenges & Best Practices – Panel
Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in threats and acts of violence against home care workers. Please join us for an informative panel discussion on the critical topics of mitigating workplace safety issues from entering the home to essential policies and procedures. This timely panel brings together four home care and hospice industry leaders who will share their knowledge, experiences, strategies, and resources for promoting workplace safety in your agency.
Moderator – Celisia Street, LMSW, Vice President of Workforce Development and Innovation
Home Care Association of New York State
Tracy Wodatch, RN, BSN, President and CEO, Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home
Andrea Devoti, Executive Vice President, National Home Care and Hospice Association
Brittany Nada, CSP, ASP, Safety Manager, Amedisys Inc.
Robert L. Weisman, DO, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Rochester
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Table-Top Exercise: Cyber Security Attack
Zach Goldfarb, EMT-P, CHEP, CHSP, CHSO, Certified Emergency Manager, Incident Management Solutions, Inc.
Louis Cook, MS, MEP, EMT-P, Senior Associate, Master Exercise Practitioner, Incident Management Solutions, Inc.
This segment of the conference will provide a unique and important opportunity for a hands-on EP tabletop exercise (TTX) facilitated by emergency preparedness exercise expert Zach Goldfarb that will both tap your current expertise and build new and further insights into your emergency preparedness planning and execution.
3:45 PM – 4:00PM
Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Arianna Stone, Director of Research and Development, Home Care Association of New York State
Registration Rates
HCA Member
Single Registrant – $179
Full Agency (2 or more) – $299
Non-Members
Single Registrant – $229
Full Agency (2 or more) – $399
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received one week prior to the scheduled Emergency Preparedness virtual event are refundable less a 25% administrative fee. Cancellations must be received in writing via email to info@hcanys.org. No refunds will be given once course materials and log-in information have been provided. No refunds for no shows. Substitutions are permitted.