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Key Points Question What is the association of a power outage after a hurricane with hospitalization and mortality among nursing home residents? Findings In this retrospective cohort study of 54 095 nursing home residents in Florida, more than half of residents experienced power loss when Hurricane Irma landed in 2017. Power loss was associated with an increased odds of mortality within 7 days and 30 days after the storm. Meaning The study results suggest that further research should assess the benefits and costs of policies that require nursing homes to have emergency alternate power sources.

Background and Objectives Protecting nursing home and assisted living community residents during disasters continues to be a challenge. The present study explores the experiences of long-term care facilities in Florida that were exposed to Hurricane Irma in 2017. Research Design and Methods We used an abductive approach, combining induction and deduction. Interviews and focus groups beginning in May 2018 were conducted by telephone and in person with 89 administrative staff members representing 100 facilities (30 nursing homes and 70 assisted living communities). Analyses identified themes and subthemes. Findings were further analyzed using the social ecological model to better understand the preparedness and response of nursing homes and assisted living communities to Hurricane Irma. Results Three main themes were identified including: 1) importance of collaborative relationships in anticipating needs and planning to shelter in place or evacuate, 2) efforts required to maintain safety and stability during an unprecedented event, 3) effects, repercussions, and recommendations for change following the disaster. Discussion and Implications Preparing for and managing disasters in nursing homes and assisted living communities involves actions within multiple environments beyond the residents and facilities where they live. Among these, community-level relationships are critical.

Objective: Thea aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Florida nursing home and assisted living facility characteristics and their ability to comply with a new emergency power rule in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Methods: This study used characteristics data on Florida nursing homes (NHs) (N = 680) and assisted living facilities (ALFs) (N = 2940) in operation between September 2017 and January 2019. Logistic regressions were used to determine whether certain characteristics were associated with compliance with the emergency power rule by January 1, 2019. Results: A total of 219 (32.9%) NHs and 2219 (75.5%) ALFs had an emergency power plan implemented by January 1, 2019. Results suggest having a dementia care unit increased the odds of compliance for NHs, while chain membership, for-profit status, and a higher reliance on Medicaid decreased the odds. Additionally, smaller size, mental health specialty license, and higher reliance on supplemental state funding increased the odds of compliance for ALFs, while nursing care specialty license and for-profit status decreased the odds of compliance. Conclusions: Policy implications from these results include informing policy-makers on the barriers faced by NHs and ALFs to implement a new regulation that may cause financial difficulties and compromise quality care.