Part IV. Support Services
12VAC5-371-340. Dietary and food service program.
A. The dietary and food service operation shall meet all applicable sections of 12VAC5-421.
B. There shall be a food protection manager, qualified as allowed in 12VAC5-421-60, responsible for the full-time management and supervision of the dietary service.
C. If the food protection manager is not a dietitian qualified according to § 54.1-2731 of the Code of Virginia, the nursing facility shall have a written agreement for ongoing consultation from a registered dietitian who meets the qualifications of § 54.1-2731 of the Code of Virginia to provide guidance to the food protection manager on methods for maintaining the dietary service, planning of nutritionally balanced meals, and assessing the dietary needs of individual residents.
D. The dietitian's duties shall include the following:
1. Developing all menus, including therapeutic diets prescribed by a resident's physician;
2. Developing, revising, and annually reviewing dietary policies, procedures and job descriptions;
3. Assisting in planning and conducting regularly scheduled inservice training that includes, but is not limited to:
a. Therapeutic diets;
b. Food preparation requirements; and
c. Principles of sanitation.
4. Visiting residents on a regular basis to discuss nutritional problems, depending upon their needs and level of care, and recommending appropriate solutions.
E. Menus shall meet the dietary allowances of the Food and Nutritional Board of the National Academy of Sciences, as adjusted for age, sex, and activity.
F. A copy of a diet manual containing acceptable practices and standards for nutrition must be kept current and on file in the dietary department.
G. Food service shall be staffed for not less than 12 hours during the day and evening. Duty schedules shall be retained for at least 30 days.
H. At least three meals, served at regular intervals, shall be provided daily to each resident, unless contraindicated as documented by the attending physician in the resident's clinical record.
I. A between meal snack of nutritional value shall be available upon request to each resident or in accordance with their plan of care.
J. Therapeutic diets shall be prepared and served as prescribed by the attending physician.
K. Visitors or employees assigned to other duties in the nursing facility shall not be allowed in the food preparation area during food preparation and resident meal service hours, except in cases of emergency.
L. Weekly menus, including therapeutic diets, substitutes, and copies of menus, as served, shall be retained on file for 12 months.
M. Disposable dinnerware or tableware shall be used only for emergencies, for infection control, as part of special activities, or as indicated in a resident's plan of care.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. January 11, 2006; Volume 26, Issue 26, eff. September 30, 2010.
12VAC5-371-350. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. January 11, 2006.
12VAC5-371-360. Clinical records.
A. The nursing facility shall maintain an organized clinical record system in accordance with recognized professional practices. Written policies and procedures shall be established specifying content and completion of clinical records.
B. Clinical records shall be confidential. Only authorized personnel shall have access as specified in §§ 8.01-413 and 32.1-127.1:03 of the Code of Virginia.
C. Records shall be safeguarded against destruction, fire, loss, or unauthorized use.
D. Overall supervisory responsibility for assuring that clinical records are maintained, completed and preserved shall be assigned to an employee of the nursing facility. The individual shall have work experience or training that is consistent with the nature and complexity of the record system and be capable of effectively carrying out the functions of the job.
E. An accurate and complete clinical record shall be maintained for each resident and shall include:
1. Resident identification;
2. Designation of attending physician;
3. Admitting information, including resident medical history, physical examination, and diagnosis;
4. Physician orders, including all medications, treatments, diets, restorative, and special medical procedures required;
5. Progress notes written at the time of each visit;
6. Documented evidence of assessment of resident's needs, establishment of an appropriate treatment plan, and interdisciplinary plan of care;
7. Nurse's notes written in chronological order and signed by the individual making the entry;
8. All symptoms and other indications of illness or injury, including date, time, and action taken on each shift;
9. Medication and treatment record, including all medications, treatments and special procedures performed;
10. Copies of radiology, laboratory and other consultant reports; and
11. Discharge summary.
F. Verbal orders shall be immediately documented in the clinical record by the individual authorized to accept the orders, and shall be countersigned.
G. Clinical records of discharged residents shall be completed within 30 days of discharge.
H. Clinical records shall be kept for a minimum of five years after discharge or death, unless otherwise specified by state or federal law.
I. Permanent information kept on each resident shall include:
1. Name;
2. Social security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Date of admission and discharge; and
5. Name and address of legal representative, if any.
J. Clinical records shall be available to residents and legal representatives, if they wish to see them.
K. When a nursing facility closes, the owners shall make provisions for the safekeeping and confidentiality of all clinical records.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. January 11, 2006; Volume 37, Issue 17, eff. May 27, 2021.
12VAC5-371-370. Maintenance and housekeeping.
A. The nursing facility shall be maintained and equipped to provide a functional, sanitary, safe, and comfortable environment.
B. A documented preventive maintenance program shall be established to ensure that equipment is operative and that the interior and exterior of the buildings are maintained in good repair and free from hazards and litter.
C. The administrator shall designate an employee responsible for carrying out these functions and for training and supervising housekeeping and maintenance personnel.
D. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system shall be capable of maintaining temperatures between 70°F to 80°F throughout resident areas.
E. The nursing facility shall have an effective pest control program provided either by maintenance personnel or by contract with a pest control company.
F. The nursing facility shall provide adequate space, equipment and supplies for any special services to be offered.
G. All furniture shall be kept clean and safe for use.
H. Over bed tables shall be available as needed.
I. Stretchers and wheelchairs shall be stored out of the path of normal traffic.
J. A sufficient number of wheelchairs and chairs shall be provided for residents whose physical conditions indicate a need for such equipment.
K. Refuse containers shall be cleaned and emptied at frequent intervals.
L. Hazardous cleaning solutions, compounds and substances shall be labeled, stored and kept under lock in a safe place separate from other materials.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. January 11, 2006.
12VAC5-371-380. Laundry services.
A. A quantity of linens shall be available at all times to provide for proper care and comfort of residents.
B. Linens and other laundry must be handled, stored, and processed to control the spread of infection.
C. Clean linen shall be stored in a clean and dry area accessible to the nursing unit.
D. Soiled linen shall be stored in covered containers in separate, well ventilated areas and shall not accumulate in the nursing facility.
E. Soiled linen shall not be sorted, laundered, rinsed, or stored in bathrooms, resident rooms, kitchens, or food storage areas.
F. Soiled linen shall not be placed on the floor.
G. Arrangement for laundering resident's personal clothing shall be provided. If laundry facilities are not provided on premises, commercial laundry services shall be utilized.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 17, eff. May 27, 2021.
12VAC5-371-390. Transportation.
A. Provisions shall be made to obtain appropriate transportation in cases of emergency.
B. The nursing facility shall assist in obtaining transportation when it is necessary to obtain medical, psychiatric, dental, diagnostic or other services outside the nursing facility.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Volume 37, Issue 17, eff. May 27, 2021.
12VAC5-371-400. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2007; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 17, eff. May 27, 2021.