12VAC5-391-450: Required staffing

A. There shall be an individual, designated in writing, responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the hospice facility. Such individual shall report directly to the program administrator and shall be qualified to perform the duties identified in 12VAC5-391-180 C.

B. The facility shall provide 24-hour nursing services sufficient to meet the total nursing needs of its patients according to individual plans of care, including treatments, medication, and diet as prescribed, and shall keep patients comfortable, clean, well-groomed, and protected from avoidable accidents, injuries, and infections.

C. The hospice facility shall have a sufficient number of trained and supervised staff to meet the needs of each patient. At least two staff, one of which is a licensed nurse, must be on duty when patients are present. However, facilities with six or fewer beds may staff with a single licensed nurse provided compliance with subsection B of this section is maintained.

If the nurse on duty is not a registered nurse, then a registered nurse must be on call and able to respond to emergent calls within 20 minutes.