International Commission

On Healthcare Hazmat Readiness

ICOHHR Logo

The International Commission On Healthcare Hazmat Readiness (ICOHHR) was established in December of 2024, stemming from a need from hospitals and other healthcare entities to ready themselves should a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident (CBRN) occur. As the world continues to see an increase in these types of events, whether accidental or intentional, healthcare facilities must be prepared to treat the casualties from these incidents while keeping their staff and other patients safe, without closing the facility to other patients.

ICOHHR has developed standards to address the needs of healthcare facilities. These standards were established after conducting several facility assessments in multiple states and internationally. ICOHHR is dedicated to these tenets:

  • PLANS AND POLICIES

  • EQUIPMENT

  • TRAINING

  • STAFFING

  • SUPPORT

The Joint Commission issued the New and Revised Emergency Management (EM) Requirements on August 20, 2024. Each of these standards are addressed by the ICOHHR tenets above:

  • The hospital has a comprehensive emergency management program that utilizes an all-hazards approach.

  • Hospital leadership provides oversight and support of the emergency management program.

  • The hospital conducts a hazard vulnerability analysis utilizing an all-hazards approach.

  • The hospital develops an emergency operations plan based on an all-hazards approach.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability assessment when developing an emergency operations plan.

  • The hospital has a communications plan that addresses how it will initiate and maintain communications during an emergency.

    Note: The hospital considers prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability analysis when developing a communications plan.

  • The hospital has a staffing plan for managing all staff and volunteers during an emergency or disaster incident.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability analysis when developing a staffing plan.

  • The hospital has a plan for providing patient care and clinical support during an emergency or disaster incident.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability analysis when developing a plan for patient care and clinical support.

  • The hospital has a plan for safety and security measures to take during an emergency or disaster incident.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability analysis when developing a plan for safety and security.

  • The hospital has a plan for managing resources and assets during an emergency or disaster incident.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability analysis when developing a plan for resources and assets.

  • The hospital has a plan for managing essential or critical utilities during an emergency or disaster incident.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability analysis when developing a plan for utilities management.

  • The hospital has a continuity of operations plan.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability assessment when developing a continuity of operations plan.

  • The hospital has a disaster recovery plan.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability assessment when developing a disaster recovery plan.

  • The hospital has an emergency management education and training program.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability assessment when developing education and training.

  • The hospital plans and conducts exercises to test its emergency operations plan and response procedures.

    Note: The hospital considers its prioritized hazards identified as part of its hazard vulnerability assessment when developing emergency exercises.

  • The hospital evaluates its emergency management program, emergency operations, and continuity of operations plans.

Services

D2 Emergency Management Services has partnered with the Disaster Management Institute (DMI) to provide facilities with the following available services:

  • A complete assessment of the facility emergency management program, focusing on CBRN and hazardous materials response, with a comprehensive report on recommended action items.

  • In-person decontamination and personal protective equipment training for all clinical and non-clinical staff (clinicians, nursing, security, housekeeping, etc.) included in the response plans. All training is customizable to specific facility needs and available equipment.

  • Online training, through the DMI, includes the Fundamentals of Disaster Management Course, Basic CBRN/Hazmat Awareness Course, CBRN for Emergency Managers Course.

  • Upon meeting ICOHHR standards, available 2-year certification for facility

  • An available year-to-year plan to reassess plans, equipment needs, training needs for new staff.