(1)(a) The licensee shall ensure that there is an organized nursing department that is integrated with other departments and services.
- (b) The licensee shall ensure the chief nursing officer of the nursing department is a registered nurse with demonstrated ability in nursing practice and administration.
- (c) The chief nursing officer shall approve the nursing policies and procedures, nursing standards of patient care, and standards of nursing practice.
- (d) The licensee shall ensure a registered nurse is designated and authorized to act in the chief nursing officer's absence.
- (e) Nursing tasks may be delegated pursuant to Section R156-31b-701a.
- (2) The licensee shall ensure qualified registered nurses are on duty 24 hours a day to give patients nursing care that requires the judgment and special skills of a registered nurse.
- (3) The nursing department shall develop and maintain a system for determining staffing requirements for nursing care on the basis of demonstrated patient need, intervention priority for care, patient load, and acuity levels.
(4)(a) The licensee shall ensure nursing care is documented for each patient from the time of admission through discharge.
- (b) A registered nurse shall document each patient's nursing care and coordinate interdisciplinary care.
(c) The licensee shall ensure that nursing care documentation includes:
- (i) clinical diagnoses;
- (ii) intervention identified to meet the patient's needs;
- (iii) nursing care provided and the patient's response;
- (iv) the ability of the patient, family, or designated caregiver to manage the continued care after discharge;
- (v) the assessments of each patient's needs; and
- (vi) the outcome of the care provided.
- (d) Before discharge, each patient shall receive written instructions for any follow-up care or treatment.
KEY: health care facilities
Date of Last Change: June 5, 2026
Notice of Continuation: August 22, 2025
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26B-1-202; 26B-2-202; 26B-2-203