SECTION 310:667-15-3. Registered nurse

(a)   There shall be an adequate number of registered nurses to meet the following minimum staff requirements: director of the department; assistants to the director for evening and night services; supervisory and staff personnel for each department or nursing unit to insure the immediate availability of a registered nurse for bedside care of any patient when needed; and registered nurse on duty at all times and available on-site for all patients on a twenty-four (24) hour basis.

(b)   The staffing pattern shall insure the availability of registered nursing care for all patients on a twenty-four (24) hour basis every day.

(c)   If a licensed practical nurse or nurse aide is assigned care of patients who do not generally need skilled nursing care, there shall be a registered nurse supervisor who makes frequent rounds and is immediately available to give skilled nursing care when needed. This registered nurse shall be free to render bedside care and not be occupied in the operating room, delivery room, or emergency room for long periods of time.

(d)   The ratio of registered nurses to patients and the ratio of registered nurses to other nursing personnel shall be adequate to provide proper supervision of patient care and staff performance, based on patient acuity.

(e)   A registered nurse shall assign the nursing care of each patient to other nursing personnel in accordance with the patient's acuity and the nursing staff available.

[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 1555, eff 4-12-95 (emergency); Added at 12 Ok Reg 2429, eff 6-26-95]