Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-5-10 - NURSING FACILITIES
Section 420-5-10-.13 - Physician Services
Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 420-5-10-.13
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
(1) A physician must personally approve in writing a recommendation that an individual be admitted to a facility. Each resident must remain under the care of a physician.
(2) Physician supervision. The facility must ensure that--
(a) The medical care of each resident is
supervised by a physician; and
(b)
Another physician supervises the medical care of residents when their attending
physician is unavailable.
(3) Physician visits. The physician must--
(a) Review the resident's total program of
care, including medications and treatments, at each visit required by paragraph
(4)(a) of this section;
(b) Write,
sign, and date progress notes at each visit; and
(c) Sign and date all orders.
(4) Frequency of physician visits.
(a) The resident must be seen by a physician
at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission, and at least
once every 60 days thereafter.
(b)
A physician visit is considered timely if it occurs not later than 10 days
after the date the visit was required.
(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (4)(d)
of this section, all required physician visits must be made by the physician
personally.
(d) At the option of
the physician, required visit, may alternate between personal visits by the
physician and visits by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical
nurse specialist in accordance with paragraph (5)(a)1, 2, and 3 of this
section.
(5) Availability of physicians for emergency care. The facility must provide or arrange for the provision of physician services 24 hours a day, in case of an emergency.
(a) Except as specified in
paragraph (5)(b) of this section, a physician may delegate tasks to a physician
assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist who--
1. Agrees to and has signed specific
Protocols established by the facility and the physician and is on file in the
facility;
2. Is acting within the
scope of practice as defined by State law; and
3. Is under the supervision of the
physician.
(b) A
physician may not delegate a task when the regulations specify that the
physician must perform it personally, or when the delegation is prohibited
under State law or by the facility's own policies.
Author: Patricia E. Ivie
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-21-20, et seq.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Alabama may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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