R432-100-19. Pediatric Services

  (1) If the hospital provides pediatric services, those services shall be under the direction of a member of the medical staff who is experienced in pediatrics and whose functions and scope of responsibility are defined by the medical staff.

  (a) A pediatrics qualified registered nurse must supervise nursing care and must supervise the documentation of the implementation of pediatric patient care on an interdisciplinary plan of care.

  (b) If the hospital provides a pediatric unit, it shall have an interdisciplinary committee responsible for policy development and review of practice within the unit. This committee must include representatives from administration, the medical and nursing staff, and rehabilitative support staff.

  (c) Hospitals admitting pediatric patients shall have written policies and procedures specifying the criteria for admission to the hospital and conditions requiring transfer when indicated. These policies and procedures shall be based upon the resources available at the hospital, specifically, in terms of personnel, space, equipment, and supplies.

  (d) The hospital shall assess all pediatric patients for maturity and development. Information obtained from the maturity and development assessment must be incorporated into the plan of care.

  (e) The hospital shall establish and implement security protocols for pediatric patients.

  (f) The hospital shall provide a safe area for diversional play activities.

  (2) Hospitals admitting pediatric patients shall have equipment and supplies in accordance with the hospital's scope of pediatric services.

  (3) The hospital shall have written guidelines for the placement or room assignment of pediatric patients according to patient acuity under usual, specific, or unusual conditions within the hospital. The guidelines shall address the use of cribs, bassinets, or beds; including the proper use of restraints, bed rails, and other safety devices.

  (a) The hospital shall place infant patients in beds where frequent observation is possible.

  (b) Pediatric patients other than infants shall be placed in beds to allow frequent observation according to each patient's assessed care needs.

  (4) Personnel working with pediatric patients shall have specific training and experience relating to the care of pediatric patients.

  (5) Orientation and inservice training for pediatric care staff shall include pediatric specific training on drugs and toxicology, intravenous therapy, pediatric emergency procedures, infant and child nutrition, the emotional needs and behavioral management of hospitalized children, child abuse and neglect, and other topics according to the needs of the pediatric patients.