Nursing Services- Staff Ratio Requirements for the State of South Carolina

A. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 44-7-262. (A) As a condition of licensure, in addition to the number of licensed nursing personnel required by R61-17, or any other regulation, a nursing home must provide at a minimum these resident-staff ratios for staff who provide nursing care:

(1) 9 to 1 for shift 1;

(2) 13 to 1 for shift 2;

(3) 22 to 1 for shift 3.

In those facilities utilizing two twelve-hour shifts, the staffing ratios for shift one apply to the twelve-hour shift occurring primarily during the day, and the staffing ratios for shift three apply to the twelve-hour shift occurring primarily during the night.

(B) For purposes of this section:

(1) 'Shift 1' means a work shift that occurs primarily during the daytime hours including, but not limited to, a 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift;

(2) 'Shift 2' means a work shift that generally includes both daytime and evening hours including, but not limited to, a 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. shift;

(3) 'Shift 3' means a work shift that occurs primarily during the nighttime hours including, but not limited to, an 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift."

B. This section takes effect January 1, 1999.