PURPOSE: This rule specifies the requirements for orientation and continuing education programs in hospitals.

1. (1) There shall be an orientation and continuing education program for the development and improvement of necessary skills and knowledge of the facility personnel.
2. (2) The orientation program shall be of the scope and duration necessary to effectively prepare personnel new to a unit for their assigned duties and responsibilities based on job descriptions. Temporary personnel shall have documented evidence of hospital and unit specific orientation prior to providing direct patient care.
3. (3) Educational programs shall be conducted using internal or external resources and shall be planned and documented. Documentation on the topic, presenter, date/time of presentation, and the program attendance shall be available.
4. (4) Educational resources and suitable references shall be identified and supplied as needed for the staff of each department or unit that provides direct patient care.
5. (5) The orientation and continuing education program shall participate in the performance improvement process and shall provide evaluation opportunities appropriate to its goals and objectives. SENIOR SERVICES

6. (6) The orientation and continuing education program shall include, as appropriate for the job, but not be limited to:

   1. (A) Problems and needs of specific age groups, chronically ill, acutely ill, and disabled patients;
   2. (B) Prevention, cause, effect, transmission, and control of infections including universal precautions;
   3. (C) Reporting employee infections and injuries;
   4. (D) Customer service, teamwork, and communication skills;
   5. (E) Fire prevention, safety, and accident prevention;
   6. (F) Patient rights including dignity, handling grievances, Health Insurance Portability and Privacy Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and privacy issues;
   7. (G) Licensed nursing personnel training on basic cardiac life support and choking prevention and intervention;
   8. (H) Prevention, identification, minimization, and reporting of patient and employee safety risks;
   9. (I) Prevention, detection, intervention, and reporting abuse and neglect;
   10. (J) Responsibilities during internal and external disasters;
   11. (K) Tobacco-free policy; and
   12. (L) Any other educational need identified through the quality improvement activities and those generated by advances made in health care science and technology.
7. (7) Competency of all employees shall be evaluated annually based on job description and necessary job skills and knowledge.

AUTHORITY: section 192.006, RSMo 2000, and section 197.080, RSMo Supp. 2013.* This rule previously filed as 19 CSR 30- 20.021(3)(L). Original rule filed June 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed June 6, 2013, effective Jan. 30, 2014. *Original authority: 192.006, RSMo 1993, amended 1995 and 197.080, RSMo 1953, amended 1993, 1995, 2013.