An All Facility Letter (AFL) is a letter from the Licensing and
Certification (L&C) Program to health facilities that are
licensed or certified by L&C. The information contained in
the AFL may include changes in requirements in healthcare,
enforcement, new technologies, scope of practice, or general
information that affects the health facility.
The California Department of Health has shared the Hot
Summer Weather Advisory to remind health care facilities to
implement precautionary measures to protect patients in the heat,
have a contingency plan in place, and report extreme conditions.
Also included is a list of tips to stay cool during the hot days
of summer.
This All Facilities Letter (AFL) reminds health care facilities
to implement recommended precautionary measures to keep
individuals safe and comfortable during extremely hot
weather.
Facilities must have contingency plans in place to deal with the
loss of air conditioning, or in the case when no air conditioning
is available, and take measures to ensure patients and residents
are free of adverse conditions that may cause heat-related health
complications.
Facilities must report extreme heat conditions that compromise
patient health and safety and/or require an evacuation, transfer,
or discharge of patients.