Revision 23-2; Effective Sept. 15, 2023

3710 Clinical Emergencies

Revision 25-3; Effective Nov. 14, 2025

Grantees must be adequately prepared to handle clinical emergency situations. Each site must:

• have a written plan for the management of on-site medical emergencies, emergencies requiring ambulance services, and hospital admission;
• have staff trained in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) who must be present during all hours of clinic operations
• have staff trained in emergency medical action;
• maintain emergency resuscitative drugs, supplies, and equipment appropriate to the services provided at that site and appropriately trained staff when clients are present; and
• maintain documentation in personnel files that confirm staff are trained in the written plans or protocols.

Dental Emergency Responsiveness

The dental office or clinic must have a written emergency plan that includes criteria for management of emergencies. The plan must be reviewed annually and as needed. Requirements for emergencies are at the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners website and in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 5, Chapter 108, under Section 108.7, Minimum Standard of Care, General.
 

3720 Emergency Preparedness

Revision 25-3; Effective Nov. 14, 2025

Grantees must have a written safety plan that includes maintenance of fire safety equipment, an emergency evacuation plan, and a disaster response plan.

Disaster Response Plan

Grantees must have a written disaster response plan that addresses how staff must respond to emergency situations such as:

• fires;
• flooding;
• power outage; and
• bomb threats.

The disaster plan must identify the procedures and processes that will be initiated during a disaster and the staff position(s) responsible for each activity. A disaster response plan must be in writing, formally communicated to staff and kept in the workplace available to employees for review. An employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan to them verbally. 

Review the  Occupational Safety and Health Administration website for more resources on facilities and equipment.