Section 325.20704. Reporting and enforcement of nurse staffing requirements.

(1) A home shall maintain, for a period of not less than 2 years, employee time records, including time cards or their equivalent and payroll records.

(2)    A home shall submit nurse staffing reports to the department at least quarterly. The department may require more frequent reports when a quarterly report on annual or other survey and evaluation visit or a complaint investigation indicates that deficiencies in nurse staffing requirements may exist.

(3)     Nurse staffing reports shall cover the employed nursing staff of the home, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, and orderlies. Only those nursing personnel listed in this subrule who actually provide direct patient care shall be counted in  meeting  nurse staff requirements. Ward clerks shall not be included as  members  of  the nursing staff.

(4)   Nurse staffing reports shall be submitted on forms provided by the department and shall, at a minimum, cover a 7-day period specified by the department, including a Saturday and  Sunday,  but  need  not necessarily include 7 consecutive days.

(5)   The administrator of record, or the acting administrator in the absence of the administrator, in the home shall certify to the accuracy of the nurse staffing reports submitted to the department.

History: 1981 AACS; 1986 AACS.