Note: Many links on this page require access to the Amedisys network (either from your care center or via VPN).
Attention DOOs
Please make sure you have the following contact information for your patients and staff:
- Where your patients are evacuating
- Where your staff is evacuating
- How your staff and patients are to re-contact you after an evacuation
HR Inquiries
In the event that the Corporate Office is temporarily closed, please contact your Regional Recruiting Manager (non-Baton Rouge based) as a first point of contact for high priority HR inquiries.
Moving Computer Equipment
If your care center is in the direct path of a hurricane, please move all computer hardware to an interior, windowless room, if available. This can be done on your last day in the care center before the storm hits. Try and keep computer bundles, including the same employee monitor, computer, keyboard, mouse, phone, and all applicable cords so that employees’ machines do not get mixed up. Label each item with the employee’s name. To keep the equipment safe from water damage, store the equipment on an available table or desk. If you need assistance with setting the equipment back up after the storm has passed, please call Support at 1-888-777-4312 option 4, and a hardware analyst will be glad to assist you.
Remote Email Access
Email can be accessed remotely by going to mail.amedisys.com
Trouble Forwarding Phones
During an emergency, if you have trouble forwarding your care center phone lines to the answering service, please call the Amedisys main line at 225-292-2031 or 800-467-2662.
Emergency Preparedness Brochure
Intended to be distributed to patients, referral sources and your employees, this emergency preparedness brochure lists steps that should be taken before, during and after a hurricane, as well as a checklist of items to take along in the event of being evacuated. Order brochures by logging into PeopleSoft.
Emergency Management Program Binder
It is the policy of Amedisys, Inc. to have an emergency management plan for unexpected or anticipated, natural or man-made disasters and critical medical circumstances that could endanger the lives of employees and patients. Each care center is required to have a copy of the Emergency Management Program binder, which outlines the company emergency management program. If your care center does not have one, please order one from the PeopleSoft Financials catalog immediately. If you have any questions, contact Sydney Pinchera in Purchasing at spinchera@amedisys.com.
Hurricane Facility Checklist
Risk Management has provided a facility checklist for care centers to use in the event of an impending hurricane strike. This checklist can be found by logging onto amedisysacademy.learn.com and typing in your username and password to access your learning plan; or by going to the Risk Management Sharepoint site. Under the Emergency Preparedness section, click care center Hurricane Facility Checklist. Please print this and keep near your emergency binder in case of a power or network outage as the storm approaches.
Hurricane Preparedness Website
For more information on the history of hurricanes, hurricane hazards, the 2010 hurricane season predictions, what to do to prepare for a hurricane, and how to take action when a hurricane threatens, please visit the National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Preparedness website.
Patient ID Cards
Each month, every patient admitted to home care in the last 30 days receives a patient ID card (view sample card). Please encourage your patients to bring the card with them if they are evacuated so we can continue to monitor their care even if they are displaced.
Patient EPC Codes
The Patient Emergency Plan ID Card must be completed for every patient upon admission and recertification to determine a patient’s Emergency Preparedness Code (EPC). This code is designed to reflect the acuity of patient illness and resources for evacuation. The EPC will be recorded in AMS2 as part of each patient’s on-call information. The Patient Emergency Plan I.D. has a toll-free number: 1-888-CARE-012 (1-888-227-3012) that patients can use to contact the Corporate Call Center in the event that they relocated as a result of the emergency to notify their current location, contact information, health status and assistance with resumption of home care services by a sister care center/or an alternate Amedisys care center.
Tips for before, during and after the storm:
Before:
- Secure your home, close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
- Ensure that you have a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
- Ensure that you have a proper supply of batteries for a radio, flashlights, etc.
- Turn off propane tanks. Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
- Ensure that you have at least a week’s supply of all critical medication.
- At all times, follow local law enforcement instructions.
During:
- Listen to the radio or TV for information.
- Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
- Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
- Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
- Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
- Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object if weather is severe.
After:
- Encore will:
- Coordinate with care center’s leadership if patient follow up is required
- Follow up with active patients and report to affected care center leadership twice a day
- If you evacuate, please contact your supervisor to share your temporary address and phone number or log on to the employee section of the Amedisys website and fill out the Emergency Contact Form.
- If you cannot reach your supervisor, please call 888-CARE-012 (888-227-3012) or 513-619-5860.