R432-100-14. Critical Care Unit

  (1) Hospitals that provide critical care units shall comply with the requirements of R432-100-14. Medical direction for the unit(s) shall be according to the scope of services provided as delineated in hospital policy and approved by the board.

  (2) Critical care unit nursing direction shall be provided by a designated, qualified registered nurse manager who has relevant education, training and experience in critical care. The supervising nurse shall coordinate the care provided by all nursing service personnel in the critical care unit. The registered nurse manager shall have administrative responsibility for the critical care unit, assuring that a registered nurse who has advanced life support certification is on duty and in the unit at all times.

  (3) Each critical care unit shall be designed and equipped to facilitate the safe and effective care of the patient population served. Equipment and supplies shall be available to the unit as determined by hospital policy in accordance with the needs of the patients.

  (4) An emergency cart must be readily available to the unit and contain appropriate drugs and equipment according to hospital policy. The cart, or the cart locking mechanism, must be checked every shift and after each use to assure that all items required for immediate patient care are in place in the cart and in usable condition.

  (5) The following support services shall be immediately available to the critical care unit on a 24-hour basis:

  (a) blood bank or supply;

  (b) clinical laboratory; and

  (c) radiology services.

  (6) If the hospital provides dialysis services, the dialysis services shall comply with R432-650 End Stage Renal Disease Facility Rules, sections R432-650-7, Required Staffing; and R432-650-12, Water Quality.