What is the 96-hour rule for hospital emergency preparedness?

The 96-hour rule isn’t a strict requirement but a guideline hospitals often use when creating Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPPs). CMS requires hospitals to assess their risks and outline how they will manage critical operations and resources during emergencies for the first 96 hours. Hospitals don’t have to stock 96 hours of resources (such as food, water, fuel, etc.) but should plan based on their specific needs, risks, and available support.