Section 325.21510. Requirements for certification as a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

(1) A licensed nursing care facility shall, at the facility's request, be certified by the department or, when required, by the U.S. secretary of the department of health and human services as a skilled nursing facility when it is determined by the director of the department or the secretary of the department of health and human services, on the basis of facility survey, inspection, investigation, and evaluation, that the facility complies with applicable state and federal statutes, rules, and other standards for skilled nursing facilities. Such federal regulations are generally available from the Health Care Financing Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20024, and the Bureau of Health Care Services, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.

(2) A licensed nursing care facility certified as a skilled nursing facility  shall comply with the following provisions:

(a)   There shall be at least 1 licensed nurse on duty for each 64 patients, or fraction thereof, on the day shift, at least 1 licensed nurse on duty for each 96 patients, or fraction thereof, on the afternoon shift, and at least 1 licensed nurse on duty for each 120 patients, or fraction thereof, on the night shift.

(b)   Additional licensed nurses shall be employed and on duty when such additional licensed nursing personnel are required to meet minimum nursing care needs because of any of the following:

(i)   The physical layout or size of the facility or nursing unit.

(ii)   The complexity of patient care needs.

(iii)   The qualifications of the nursing staff in terms of training and experience.

(iv)   The number of therapeutic treatments to be provided.

(v)   The number of medications to be administered.

History: 1981 AACS; 2014 AACS.