§ 485.528 Condition of participation: Staffing and staff responsibilities.

(a) Standard: Emergency department staffing. The emergency department of the REH must be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by an individual or individuals competent in the skills needed to address emergency medical care. This individual(s) must be able to receive patients and activate the appropriate medical resources to meet the care needed by the patient.

(b) Standard: Staffing. (1) The REH must have a professional health care staff that includes one or more doctors of medicine or osteopathy, and may include one or more physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists.

(2) Any ancillary personnel are supervised by the professional staff.

(3) The staff is sufficient to provide the services essential to the operation of the REH.

(4) A registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, or licensed practical nurse is on duty whenever the REH has one or more patients receiving emergency care or observation care.

(c) Standard: Responsibilities of the doctor of medicine or osteopathy. (1) The doctor of medicine or osteopathy must —