WAC 246-320-256   Neonatal and pediatric services.  The purpose of this section is to guide the management and care of patients receiving neonatal or pediatric care services. Hospitals are not required to provide these services in order to be licensed.

     If providing neonatal or pediatric care, hospitals must:

     (1) Adopt and implement policies and procedures that:

     (a) Identify the types of patients and level of care that may be used; and

     (b) Define the qualifications and oversight of staff delivering neonatal or pediatric services;

     (2) Use hospital policies and procedures which define standards of care;

     (3) Assure one registered nurse or physician trained in infant and pediatric resuscitation is present in the hospital when infants or pediatric patients are receiving care;

     (4) Assure laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, and respiratory care services appropriate for neonates, infants and pediatric patients are:

     (a) Provided in a timely manner; and

     (b) Available in the hospital at all times during assisted ventilation;

     (5) When providing a level 2 or level 3 nursery service assure:

     (a) Laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, and respiratory care services appropriate for neonates are available in the hospital at all times;

     (b) An anesthesia practitioner, neonatologist, and a pharmacist available twenty-four hours a day; and

     (c) One registered nurse or physician trained in neonate resuscitation is present in the hospital when a neonate is receiving care.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.41 RCW and RCW 43.70.040. 09-07-050, § 246-320-256, filed 3/11/09, effective 4/11/09.]