California hospitals urged to address safety measures during water emergencies

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) held a webinar on April 11, 2025, focusing on the Water Rationing Plan in California. The session aimed to address critical operational questions and guidelines for healthcare facilities during water emergencies.

Key discussions centered on the importance of maintaining safe and comfortable environments for patients and staff, particularly in sensitive areas such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Participants were urged to provide detailed proposals on how they would manage infection control and temperature regulation in the absence of adequate water supply. Specific measures discussed included terminal cleaning protocols, the continuity of dialysis services, and pharmacy operations during emergencies.

The webinar highlighted the necessity for healthcare facilities to ensure that medications remain effective and safe, even when water is scarce. This includes maintaining appropriate temperatures for drug storage and having contingency plans for compounding medications. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) emphasized the need for facilities to proactively address these operational challenges in their proposals.

Additionally, the session provided insights into frequently asked questions regarding emergency fuel requirements, clarifying that facilities must have sufficient fuel on-site to support operations during water rationing.

The HCAI encouraged participants to review the provided checklist and FAQs to prepare for potential water emergencies effectively. The meeting concluded with an invitation for further questions and a reminder that resources from the webinar would be available on the HCAI website.

This webinar underscores the ongoing efforts by California's health authorities to ensure that healthcare facilities are equipped to handle emergencies while maintaining high standards of patient care.