State nursing homes lack evacuation plans

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State Health Department officials say not all of Oklahoma's nursing homes have an evacuation plan in case of a natural disaster. <br/><br/>As a result, state health officials decided

Monday, October 3rd 2005, 6:24 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State Health Department officials say not all of Oklahoma's nursing homes have an evacuation plan in case of a natural disaster.

As a result, state health officials decided in a recent meeting to send a federal model of an emergency disaster and evacuation plan to Oklahoma's 650 assisted living centers and nursing homes.

Within a month, each home must submit a new plan for review.

Homes now must have written agreements on file with local churches and school districts regarding the evacuation of their residents.

The department's assessment began after the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In New Orleans, negligent homicide charges were recently filed against a pair of nursing home owners where 34 residents were found dead in floodwater.