12VAC5-410-380. Nursing service.
A. Each hospital shall have an organized nursing department. A registered nurse qualified on the basis of education, experience and clinical ability shall be responsible for the direction of nursing care provided the patients.
B. The number and type of nursing personnel on all shifts shall be based upon the needs of the patients and the capabilities of the nursing staff assigned to the patient care unit. All registered nurses and licensed practical nurses shall hold a current license issued by the Virginia Board of Nursing or a current multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing in Virginia.
C. All nursing services shall be directly provided by an appropriately qualified registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, except for those nursing tasks that may be delegated by a registered nurse according to 18VAC90-20-420 through 18VAC90-20-460 of the regulation of the Virginia Board of Nursing with a plan developed and implemented by the hospital.
D. Nursing personnel shall be assigned to patient care units in a manner that minimizes the risk of cross infection and accidental contamination.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-33-500 § 2.22, eff. July 28, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 8, eff. April 1, 1995; Volume 11, Issue 16, eff. June 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 8, eff. January 25, 2006.