N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-12.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 8:43G-12.2 - Emergency department policies and procedures

(a) The emergency department shall have written policies and procedures for medical, trauma, and pediatric patients, that are reviewed at least once every three years, revised more frequently as needed, and implemented.

(b) Each hospital shall develop and implement policies and procedures for the evaluation and treatment by qualified medical personnel of all patients who come to the emergency department. An advanced practice nurse functioning as qualified medical personnel evaluating and treating patients in the emergency department shall establish and maintain a collaborative relationship, described in these policies and procedures, with an emergency physician regularly practicing in that hospital's emergency department. A physician assistant functioning as qualified medical personnel evaluating and treating patients in the emergency department shall be supervised by an emergency physician regularly practicing in that hospital's emergency department. Emergency physicians shall meet the qualifications required in 8:43G-12.3(b).

(c) There shall be a transfer protocol that governs interhospital transfers of patients, including but not limited to pediatric and trauma patients, in need of specialized care not provided in the hospital. Transfer protocols for trauma patients shall be in accordance with 8:43G-12.15(c) through (g).

(d) The emergency department shall have a written protocol that governs the management of psychiatric patients who require special services not available in the hospital. This protocol addresses the roles and involvement of hospital health professionals, social work services, law enforcement officials, and mental health services, when indicated.

(e) The emergency department shall have a written protocol that addresses the ability of family members and significant others to remain with patients during treatment. The protocol shall also address the special needs of patients who are unable to communicate for reasons of language, disability, age, or level of consciousness.

(f) The emergency department shall have a written protocol that governs referrals if a clinical speciality service is not available.

(g) The emergency department shall have policies to ensure compliance with regulations at 42 CFR 489.24 and 42 CFR 489.20 requiring examination and treatment for emergency conditions and women in labor.

(h) The emergency department shall have written policies for airway maintenance, adult and pediatric sedation, analgesia, and rapid sequence intubation.

(i) The hospital shall maintain a trauma registry in accordance with 8:43G-12.21(a) through (c).

(j) The hospital shall develop and implement written policies and procedures to support breastfeeding mothers in the emergency department.

1. These policies and procedures shall require responsible staff to:

i. Determine whether a woman who presents for treatment at the emergency department is breastfeeding;

ii. Facilitate the expression, storage, and use of the breast milk from the mother, as necessary;

iii. Document the findings in (j)1i and ii above in the medical record as soon as possible or before the woman is released from the emergency department area; and

iv. Review these policies and procedures every three years and revise at any time as necessary.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43G-12.2

Amended by R.1992 d.72, effective 2/18/1992.
See: 23 N.J.R. 2590(a), 24 N.J.R. 590(a).
Inability to communicate specified at (d).
Amended by R.1995 d.124, effective 3/20/1995.
See: 26 N.J.R. 4537(a), 27 N.J.R. 1290(a).
Amended by R.1999 d.436, effective 12/20/1999.
See: 31 N.J.R. 367(a), 31 N.J.R. 614(a), 31 N.J.R. 4293(c).
Rewrote the section.
Amended by R.2011 d.055, effective 2/22/2011.
See: 42 N.J.R. 1774(a), 42 N.J.R. 2561(a), 43 N.J.R. 401(b).
In (i), substituted "8:43G-12.21(a) through" for "8:43G-12.21() and".
Amended by R.2014 d.025, effective 1/21/2014.
See: 45 N.J.R. 194(a), 46 N.J.R. 214(a).
Added (j).