Nursing Services Requirements for the State of Kentucky

Section 4. Provision of Services.

(2) Nursing services.

(a) Twenty-four (24) hour nursing service. There shall be twenty-four (24) hour nursing service with a sufficient number of nursing personnel on duty at all times to meet the total needs of patients. Nursing personnel shall include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, aides and orderlies. The amount of nursing time available for patient care shall be exclusive of nonnursing duties. Sufficient nursing time shall be available to assure that each patient:

1. Shall receive treatments, medication, and diets as prescribed;

2. Shall receive proper care to prevent decubiti and shall be kept comfortable, clean and well-groomed;

3. Shall be protected from accident and injury by the adoption of indicated safety measures;

1. Shall be treated with kindness and respect.

(b) Rehabilitative nursing care. There shall be an active program of rehabilitative nursing care directed toward assisting each patient to achieve and maintain his highest level of self-care and independence.

1. Rehabilitative nursing care initiated in the hospital shall be continued immediately upon admission to the facility.

2. Nursing personnel shall be taught rehabilitative nursing measures and shall practice them in their daily care of patients. These measures shall include:

a. Maintaining good body alignment and proper positioning of bedfast patients;

b. Encouraging and assisting bedfast patients to change positions at least every two (2) hours, day and night to stimulate circulation and prevent decubiti and deformities;

c. Making every effort to keep patients active and out of bed for reasonable periods of time, except when contraindicated by physician's orders, and encouraging patients to achieve independence in activities of daily living by teaching self care, transfer and ambulation activities;

d. Assisting patients to adjust to their disabilities, to use their prosthetic devices, and to redirect their interests if necessary;

e. Assisting patients to carry out prescribed physical therapy exercises between visits of the physical therapist.