Emergency Planning for Residential Assisted Living Facilities: Staying Resilient in Any Weather⚡

In healthcare, preparedness isn’t just taking precautions, it’s a critical component of resident care. Whether it’s winter storms, power outages, or other natural disasters, having the right plan and tools in place can make all the difference. That’s where Synkwise comes in. Synkwise ensures seamless healthcare management, no matter what challenges your facility faces.

From maintaining power to keeping connected, this guide highlights how to keep your facility running smoothly during emergencies, with Synkwise as your trusted partner.

1. Why an Emergency Plan Is Critical for Healthcare Facilities

For any residential care or assisted living facility, having a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan is essential. This plan should cover everything from managing natural disasters to ensuring continuous operation during power outages. A well-rounded emergency plan doesn’t only anticipate external threats like severe weather or utility failures but also internal challenges such as staff shortages during a crisis.

Beyond simply having a plan, it’s crucial to implement the right tools and resources that enable your team to deliver uninterrupted, high-quality care in any situation. These tools can include backup power sources, secure digital record-keeping systems, and reliable communication channels to keep residents, families, and staff informed. By preparing with a robust emergency plan and the right support, facilities can ensure resident safety, maintain regulatory compliance, and reinforce trust with residents and their families.

2. Stay Connected During Power and Internet Outages

One of the biggest challenges during an emergency is staying connected, especially when power outages or internet disruptions occur. Without a reliable connection, accessing resident records or coordinating care becomes nearly impossible. That’s why having backup solutions is crucial.

Consider adding tools like the CyberPower Battery Backup to ensure devices like laptops and tablets stay powered during outages. Backup batteries like the one mentioned, allows your team to continue to access Synkwise and other essential systems. Additionally, mobile Wi-Fi hotspots, such as the SIMO Solis 5G Mobile Hotspot, can keep your team online, even when traditional networks are down.

By ensuring continuous access to Synkwise, you can continue managing resident care and documentation in real-time, ensuring no details are missed—even in the middle of a crisis.

3. Generators: A Lifeline for Medical Equipment

When power outages extend for long periods, having a solar-powered generator can be a lifesaver—especially for residents reliant on medical equipment like oxygen tanks. Solar-powered backup generators are a sustainable and reliable solution to keep your essential equipment running when the grid fails.

For example, the ECOFLOW Delta Solar Generator provides a clean and consistent power source to keep crucial devices running and supports your facility’s operations without interruption. There are also non-solar generators available that can keep your facility running smoothly when nature strikes, ensuring uninterrupted operations during emergencies.

Having backup power means your facility can continue delivering critical care, no matter how long an outage lasts.

4. Strengthen Staff Preparedness and Confidence

Emergencies don’t just affect residents, they can take a toll on your staff, too. Ensuring that your team is confident in these situations and are well-prepared to handle crises is key to maintaining order during an emergency.

Using Synkwise not only helps ensure continuity of care but also makes life easier for your staff. With features like automated task management and real-time updates, your team can work more efficiently, even under pressure. This can help reduce the stress associated with managing a facility during challenging times.

Additionally, training your staff on how to maximize Synkwise’s features can be beneficial. Tools including offline access and rapid updates, will give them what they need to stay focused on providing care.

5. Keeping Residents and Families Informed

In any emergency, transparent and timely communication is vital for both residents and their families.

You can help everyone feel secure and informed by:

Sending regular updates to families, providing peace of mind and clear, real-time information about their loved one’s well-being.

Keeping residents updated on the situation and safety protocols, which reduces anxiety and fosters a calm environment.

Communicating essential information immediately, minimizing confusion and the need for repeated updates.

With communication, you can maintain clear, open lines of contact, reinforcing trust and assuring residents and families alike that your facility is fully prepared and in control.

6. How Synkwise Ensures Uninterrupted Healthcare Management

During any emergency, continuity of care is the top priority. This is where Synkwise shines. By providing reliable access to essential resident data, even during power or internet disruptions, Synkwise helps you maintain seamless operations. From charting medications to recording progress notes, Synkwise ensures that every part of your care process continues smoothly.

By integrating Synkwise into your emergency preparedness plan, you’re ensuring that your facility can continue to provide the highest level of care—no matter the situation. This is more than just technology; it’s peace of mind for you and your team.

Conclusion

While we can’t always predict when an emergency will happen, we can be prepared for it. Synkwise is more than just a healthcare management tool, we are your partner in ensuring that your facility runs smoothly.

Whether it’s power outages, connectivity issues, or maintaining compliance in a crisis, Synkwise gives you the confidence to keep going. Now is the time to ensure your facility is equipped to handle anything that comes its way.

Want to learn more about how Synkwise can help your facility stay resilient during emergencies? Schedule a Demo today and see how our platform can simplify your daily operations, improve staff efficiency, and keep your residents safe, no matter what happens.

Synkwise Compliance

Oregon Adult Care Home Compliance Guide

Operating a care home in Oregon means paying close attention to state regulations, especially the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). Synkwise helps you stay compliant, particularly with electronic record-keeping and documentation. This guide walks you through key regulations from OAR 411-050-0755 and shows how Synkwise supports your compliance.

Understanding OAR 411-050-0755: Records – Availability

This regulation outlines how to manage, store, and access records. Let’s break down the requirements and how Synkwise ensures compliance.


1. OAR 411-050-0755(4)(a): Printing Records

“(4)(a): Electronic records may be used if the system complies with these rules. The system must be able to print records upon request by the Department.”

How Synkwise Helps:
✅ Synkwise allows caregivers to easily print records on demand. You can also share records via email or fax, simplifying the process during inspections or audits. This feature is fully integrated, making it quick and simple for caregivers.


2. OAR 411-050-0755(4)(b): Data Backup and Protection

“(4)(b): The system must have a backup system to protect records during power outages or emergencies.”

How Synkwise Helps:
✅ Synkwise stores all data securely on AWS Cloud Services, ensuring safety during system failures. Multiple daily backups protect your records, and caregivers can still access them from mobile devices during outages.

✅ For added safety, Synkwise provides printable documentation templates for use during emergencies or natural disasters, so your care home can continue operating.


3. OAR 411-050-0755(4)(c): Privacy and Confidentiality

“(4)(c): Electronic records must comply with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws.”

How Synkwise Helps:
✅ Synkwise ensures privacy and confidentiality by preventing unauthorized data sharing. Only authorized users can access records, and password protection keeps everything secure, meeting Oregon’s strict confidentiality laws.


4. OAR 411-050-0755(4)(d): Recording Late Entries

“(4)(d): The system must identify any late entries and record the date and time.”

How Synkwise Helps:
✅ Synkwise’s Audit Med Log feature tracks the exact time caregivers administer medications. When they record a medication late, the system flags it, allowing caregivers to add notes explaining the reason for the delay. This helps you stay compliant during audits.


5. OAR 411-050-0755(4)(e): Preventing Entry Alterations

“(4)(e): The system must prevent unauthorized changes to records. Any changes must be logged with the date, time, and reason.”

How Synkwise Helps:
✅ Once records are entered in Synkwise, they are locked to prevent changes. Admins and Providers can make changes, but the system logs the date, time, and reason for the modifications, creating a clear audit trail.

💡 How to View Edit History: Follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Locate the note, click the three dots, and select “View History.”
  • Step 2: View the changes, including who made them, when, and why.
This shows you how to view the history of any changes on notes

6. OAR 411-050-0755(4)(f): Password Protection

“(4)(f): The system must be password-protected, with passwords changed at least quarterly. Router passwords should be updated every six months.”

How Synkwise Helps:
✅ Synkwise meets HIPAA standards by requiring quarterly password changes. While we can’t control your router’s settings, we recommend setting reminders in Synkwise to update your router password every six months.


Additional Tools to Improve Your Workflow

Beyond compliance, Synkwise offers several features to help Oregon care homes run smoothly.


Batch Notes for Late Medication Entries

New Feature! Synkwise’s Batch Notes feature lets you apply a single note to multiple late entries at once. This tool simplifies documentation and helps reduce errors. You can quickly apply notes like “Medication Given On Time, But Charted Late” across multiple entries.


Completing Incident Reports in Synkwise

Timely and accurate incident reporting is crucial. Synkwise starts incident reports in Draft mode, allowing you to finalize them once complete. Any post-finalization edits are logged for compliance.

💡 Pro Tip: Use our visual guide to learn how to finalize incident reports in Synkwise.

Diagram for accessing incident reports feature on Synkwise

Emergency Preparedness

Preparing for emergencies is essential in Oregon. Synkwise gives you access to electronic records during outages and provides printable templates. Review our Emergency Planning Guide to keep your care home ready for any situation.


In Conclusion

Complying with Oregon’s Adult Care Home regulations is vital for success. Synkwise provides the tools and features to keep your records secure, accessible, and compliant with OAR 411-050-0755. For assistance, contact our support team at support@synkwise.com or submit a ticket through the Synkwise app.

Thank you for choosing Synkwise as your trusted partner in providing high-quality care.


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Employee Spotlight - Sarah Holbura

Employee Spotlight – Sarah Holbura

🌟 Introduction: My Journey with Synkwise

My name is Sarah Holbura and I am a Customer Support Specialist at Synkwise.

I started working at Synkwise shortly after obtaining my Associate of Arts degree at Clark Community College. I am coming up on 1 year of working here at Synkwise and I could not be happier with my experience so far!

🚀 Starting at Synkwise: Training and Growth

Throughout my first few months of training I remember not just enjoying the work, but the environment I was working in. I had coworkers and managers supporting me through the learning curve, making sure I wasn’t overworked or burning out, and helping me grow my skill set in my new position. As the months went on, the company culture stood out to me as a place that I could not only thrive professionally, but personally as well. I have learned so much here that I have applied to other areas of my life and that has helped me learn a lot about myself.

🎤 First Conference Experience: A Turning Point

My second month working at Synkwise I attended the 2023 Easy CEU Fall Conference in Portland Oregon. Experiencing that conference firsthand showed me how much this product impacted the healthcare community, and how big of a difference we were making. It was a confidence booster that the work I was doing was making a difference in our community and was truly helping providers everywhere. It made me proud to be a part of Synkwise.

💼 Evolving in My Role: From Tasks to Customer Onboarding

My role as a Customer Support Specialist has been a process in the making. When I started out, I was just learning the system and completing minor tasks. As my knowledge grew, I was interacting with customers on a daily basis, and frequently emailing them as well. As of about 4-5 months ago, I started doing onboarding calls with new customers, which was a great experience for me to see the journey of a new customer using our system.

🙏 Gratitude and Looking Ahead

I’ve accomplished and learned so much in just a short amount of time, and it truly reflects on the solid foundation this company has built prior to my arriving here. I am beyond grateful for the amazing people here that have become like family to me, and I hope to continue to grow and expand my skills to be able to succeed in my position and contribute to the growth of the company.

Succession Planning

Adult Family Homes Compliance – Succession Planning

Understanding the New Requirements for Adult Family Homes: A Closer Look at WAC 388-76 Regulations

Recent updates to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) have introduced several critical changes aimed at enhancing the continuity of care, regulatory compliance, and operational stability within adult family homes. These new requirements, encapsulated in WAC 388-76, are designed to address various scenarios that could impact the smooth operation of these care facilities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the purpose behind these changes:

1. Succession Planning (WAC 388-76-10201)

Purpose: The introduction of a written succession plan requirement aims to ensure that adult family homes can continue to operate effectively even if the current provider or entity representative becomes unable to fulfill their duties. This measure is crucial for maintaining consistent care for residents during unexpected transitions.

Key Points:

  • Written Plan Requirement: Homes must have a plan outlining how they will manage operations and continue resident care if the provider is unavailable.
  • Provisional Licenses: In emergencies or exceptional circumstances requiring ownership changes, a provisional license may be granted to allow the home to continue operating while a new owner is vetted.
  • Department Discretion: The department retains the authority to decide whether the situation justifies issuing a provisional license.

2. Priority Processing for Change of Ownership (WAC 388-76-10107)

Purpose: This regulation aims to minimize disruption for residents during ownership changes or relocations of adult family homes by allowing priority processing of licensing applications.

Key Points:

  • Priority Request: Existing providers can request expedited processing for new applicants to avoid service interruptions.
  • Notification Waiver: Under priority processing, the standard requirement for notifying the department and residents 60 days in advance may be waived, though notice should still be given as early as possible.

3. Administrator Training Requirements (WAC 388-76-10064)

Purpose: Ensuring that all administrators and entity representatives are adequately trained is vital for maintaining high standards of care and compliance within adult family homes.

Key Points:

  • Training Completion: Applicants and entity representatives must complete an approved administration class. Those already licensed are exempt from retaking the class unless they have not previously completed it.
  • Exceptional Circumstances: The department may waive training requirements for up to four months if certain conditions are met.

4. Fee Waiver for Exceptional Circumstances (WAC 388-76-10074)

Purpose: To alleviate financial burdens on providers facing exceptional circumstances, this regulation allows for a one-time waiver of application fees for changes in ownership or relocation.

Key Points:

  • Conditions for Waiver: The waiver can be granted if the current provider faces significant challenges, such as a terminal illness, and if paying the full licensing fee would cause financial hardship.
  • Priority Processing Required: The application must also be approved for priority processing to qualify for the fee waiver.

5. Provider Qualifications (WAC 388-76-10130)

Purpose: Establishing minimum qualifications for providers, entity representatives, and resident managers ensures that individuals in these roles possess the necessary skills, experience, and character to provide high-quality care.

Key Points:

  • Educational and Experience Requirements: Includes various educational achievements and direct care experience. Certain licensed professionals are exempt from direct care experience requirements.
  • Character and Communication Skills: Emphasizes the need for good moral character, literacy, and the ability to communicate effectively with residents, including language accommodations if necessary.

Conclusion

Maintaining compliance is not a set of steps, but a journey. These new succession planning requirements are designed to strengthen the framework of adult family homes by ensuring operational continuity, enhancing care standards, and providing support during transitions. By implementing these regulations, Washington aims to improve the stability and quality of care in these crucial facilities, ultimately benefiting both residents and providers alike. To assist in this process, a template version of the Synkwise plan is embedded in Synkwise, powered by our forms engine. You can quickly and efficiently create this plan with ease.

Click Here to Join the Synkwise Community!

Compliance isn’t a checklist – it’s a continuous journey!!