ARSD 44:75:06:05. Nursing service staffing

A hospital shall maintain sufficient personnel at all times to provide supervision of and nursing care for all patients. A registered nurse must be designated as charge nurse for each nursing care unit at all times. A critical access hospital is required to staff with a registered nurse only when it admits an acute care patient. A critical access hospital is required to staff with a licensed nurse when it has only swing bed patients. A facility shall develop staffing patterns for each patient care unit, including surgical and obstetrical suites, emergency services, special care units, and other services.