Healthcare Emergency Response Drill Checklist

Complete this checklist during and after emergency response drills to evaluate preparedness. TJC requires healthcare facilities to conduct emergency drills twice yearly with one involving community-wide response.

Industry: Healthcare
Frequency: Per drill / Twice yearly minimum
Estimated Time: 30-45 minutes
Role: Emergency Management Coordinator / Safety Officer
Total Items: 34
Compliance: TJC EC/EM Standards, CMS CoP, NFPA 99, UK NHS EPRR, OSHA 1910.38

Notification & Activation

Evaluate emergency notification and activation.

Alarm/notification system activated properly?
Overhead announcement clear and understood?
Paging system functional (Code called correctly)?
Time from event to notification (minutes)?
All staff in area notified?
Incident Commander identified and established?

Staff Response

Evaluate staff knowledge and response.

Staff knew their emergency roles?
RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish) followed (fire)?
Staff reported to correct assembly point?
Patient accountability/headcount completed?
Visitors directed appropriately?
Response calm and organized (no panic)?

Equipment & Resources

Verify emergency equipment and resources.

Crash cart/AED arrived timely (Code Blue)?
Fire extinguishers accessible and staff know use?
Evacuation equipment available (chairs, sleds)?
Emergency go-kits/supplies accessible?
Backup power/emergency lighting functional?
Communication devices (radios, phones) functional?

Evacuation Procedures (If Applicable)

Evaluate evacuation-specific elements.

Evacuation routes clear and accessible?
Fire/smoke doors closed properly?
Elevators recalled/secured (fire)?
Patients evacuated safely (simulated or actual)?
Horizontal evacuation to safe zone completed?
Special needs patients (bariatric, ICU) addressed?

Communication & Coordination

Assess internal and external communication.

Command center activated and operational?
Regular status updates communicated?
External agencies notified/simulated (fire, EMS)?
Family notification process activated?
Media/public information plan considered?

Drill Documentation & Debriefing

Post-drill activities and documentation.

All-clear announced properly?
Return to normal operations orderly?
Post-drill debriefing held?
Lessons learned documented?
Action items assigned with deadlines?

Related Healthcare Checklists

Related Emergency Preparedness Checklists

Why Use This Healthcare Emergency Response Drill Checklist?

This healthcare emergency response drill checklist helps healthcare teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for emergency management coordinator / safety officer professionals, this checklist covers 34 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per drill / twice yearly minimum.

Ensures compliance with TJC EC/EM Standards, CMS CoP, NFPA 99, UK NHS EPRR, OSHA 1910.38. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Healthcare Emergency Response Drill Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 34 inspection items across 6 sections: Notification & Activation, Staff Response, Equipment & Resources, Evacuation Procedures (If Applicable), Communication & Coordination, Drill Documentation & Debriefing. It is designed for healthcare operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per drill / twice yearly minimum. Each completion takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

Who should use this Healthcare Emergency Response Drill Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Emergency Management Coordinator / Safety Officer professionals in the healthcare industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.