Section 22-B3213. RESTORATIVE NURSING CARE PROGRAM

 

3213.1The facility shall have a restorative nursing care program to assist in maintaining the highest practicable level of physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

 

3213.2Each nursing employee shall provide restorative nursing in his or her daily care of residents, which shall include the following:

 

(a)Maintaining good body alignment and proper positioning of bedridden residents;

 

(b)Encouraging and assisting bedridden residents or those residents that are confined to a chair to change position at least every two (2) hours or more often as the resident's condition warrants, day and night, to stimulate circulation; prevent bed sores, pressure ulcers and deformities; and to promote the healing of pressure ulcers;

 

(c)Encouraging residents to be active and out of bed for reasonable periods of time, except when contraindicated by physician's orders;

 

(d)Encouraging residents to be independent in activities of daily living by teaching and explaining the importance of self-care, ensuring and assisting with transfer and ambulating activities, by allowing sufficient time for task completion by the residents, and by encouraging and honoring resident's choices;

 

(e)Assisting residents to adjust to their condition and to their use of prosthetic devices;

 

(f)Achieving good body alignment and balance for residents who use mechanical supports, which are properly designed and applied under the supervision of a licensed nurse;

 

(g)Identifying residents who would benefit from a bowel and bladder training program and initiating such a program to decrease incontinence and unnecessary use of catheters; and

 

(h)Assessing the nature, causes and extent of behavioral disorientation difficulty and implementing appropriate strategies and practices to improve the same.

 

3213.3Each nursing employee who provides restorative nursing services shall attend educational programs in restorative nursing that includes practical experience.

 

source

Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 473 (January 18, 2002).