Authority: IC 12-21-2-3; IC 12-25-1-2; IC 12-25-1-4

Affected: IC 12-25

Sec. 7. (a) The private mental health institution shall have an organized nursing service led by a nurse executive, who has the following authority and responsibility:

1. (1) The nursing executive shall ensure that the:

   1. (A) nursing standards of consumer care; and
   2. (B) standards of nursing practice;
2. are consistent with professional standards.

3. (2) The nursing executive or designee shall approve all:

   1. (A) nursing policies;
   2. (B) procedures;
   3. (C) nursing standards of consumer care; and
   4. (D) standards of nursing practice.

4. (3) The nurse executive is also responsible for the following:

   1. (A) Determining the number and type of nursing personnel needed.
   2. (B) Maintaining a nursing organizational chart and job description for all positions.
5. (4) The nurse executive participates with leaders of the governing body, management, medical or professional staff, and other clinical areas in planning, promoting, and conducting performance improvement activities throughout the organization.

(b) The private mental health institution shall have an organized nursing service that provides twenty-four (24) hour nursing services furnished or supervised by a registered nurse.

(c) The service shall have an organized plan that delineates the responsibilities for consumer care, including the following:

1. (1) Monitoring each consumer's status.
2. (2) Coordinating the provision of nursing care.
3. (3) Assisting other professional staff in implementing the plans of care for consumers.

(d) The nursing service shall have the following:

1. (1) Adequate numbers of licensed registered nurses and licensed practical nurses for the provision of appropriate care to all consumers, which may include the following:

   1. (A) Assessing consumer nursing needs.
   2. (B) Planning and providing nursing care interventions.
   3. (C) Preventing complications.
   4. (D) Providing and improving consumer comfort and wellness.
2. (2) A procedure to ensure that the facility's nursing personnel, including nurse registry personnel for whom a license is required, have valid and current licenses.

(e) All nursing personnel shall demonstrate and document competency in fulfilling their assigned responsibilities.

(Division of Mental Health and Addiction; 440 IAC 1.5-3-7; filed Oct 11, 2002, 11:26 a.m.: 26 IR 741; filed Aug 11, 2008, 3:40 p.m.: 20080910-IR-440070875FRA; readopted filed Nov 5, 2008, 3:50 p.m.: 20081119-IR-440080742RFA; readopted filed Aug 11, 2014, 11:21 a.m.: 20140910-IR-440140240RFA; readopted filed Nov 9, 2020, 3:09 p.m.: 20201209-IR- 440200502RFA)