Nursing Services Requirements for the State of Delaware

57.6 - SKILLED NURSING CARE

57.601 There shall be a registered professional nurse on duty each shift, seven (7) days a week.

57.602 There shall be a sufficient number of nursing service personnel to provide a minimum of 2.50 hours of direct care and treatment per patient, per day.

57.603. Under supervision of a physician, who sees patients and renews orders at least every thirty (30) days.

57.604 Provisions must be made for a rehabilitation program to restore patients to their maximum potential.

57.605 Only registered professional nurses or licensed practical nurses shall be permitted to administer medications.

57.804 Nursing Services:

A. Individual nursing care plans shall be developed within seven (7) days of admission and reviewed every thirty (30) days.

B. There shall be a registered professional nurse designated as the Supervising Nurse (Director of Nurses). The Supervising Nurse shall:

1. Be on duty a minimum of eight (8) hours daily, during the day-time hours.

2. Designate adequate relief personnel, including a registered professional nurse in charge of each shift, when she is not in the facility so that a responsible person is available at all times in the event of an emergency.

3. Develop and/or maintain nursing service objectives, standards of nursing practice and nursing procedure manuals.

4. Assign and supervise all levels of nursing service personnel.

5. Coordinate nursing services with physicians, physical therapy, dietary, pharmaceutical, recreational activities and other specialized services.

6. Provide orientation programs for the new nursing service personnel and in-service education for all nursing personnel.

Written records of the content of each program and the names of the personnel attending each program must be kept on file for one (1) year.

7. Participate in the selection of prospective patients, in terms of nursing services that they need, and nursing competencies available.

C. Should the Supervising Nurse (Director of Nurses) terminate her employment, the State Board of Health shall be notified, in writing, at once of this termination along with the name of her replacement, registration and current license number.

D. Each institution shall have at least two (2) or more nursing service personnel monitoring the patients twenty-four (24) hours a day.