HAR §11-95-23. Nursing service

(a) Each facility shall have a nursing staff which shall be directed by the director of nursing. The director of nursing shall be a qualified registered professional nurse who shall be appointed by the administrator with the approval of the governing body. The director of nursing shall develop such nursing service policies and procedures, recruit such nursing personnel, and provide such supervision as is necessary to achieve the objectives of the facility. (b) Each facility shall have nursing staff sufficient in number and qualifications to meet the nursing needs of the patients in the facility. There shall be at least one registered nurse present and on duty at all times the facility is open and a patient is present in the facility. (c) There shall be an organized written departmental plan which includes objectives, administrative authority, staffing patterns, job descriptions, and responsibilities for each category of nursing personnel. (d) There shall be appropriate nursing policies and procedures delineating the scope of services. (e) Working personnel in each operating room must include at least one registered professional nurse who shall serve as the circulating nurse. (f) If a general anesthetic is used, working personnel in each recovery area shall include at least one registered professional nurse. At least one such person must be physically present and on duty at all times as long as any patients are present in the facility. (g) There shall be sufficient personnel on duty, as long as a patient is present in the facility, to provide emergency assistance in any area of the facility without violating subsections (e) and (f). [Eff March 3, 1986] (Auth: HRS §§321-9, 321-10) (Imp: HRS §§321-10, 457-1)