Rule 111-8-40-.35 - Pediatric ServicesAny hospital providing care to infants and children shall have facilities, equipment, and policies and procedures specific to the provision of services for pediatric patients.
(a) Hospital policies shall define the ages of patients considered to be appropriate for pediatric services and the scope of services to be provided to them.(b) Staff providing services to pediatric patients shall have experience and training in serving the pediatric population and shall have documented in-service training at least annually on age-specific care issues for the pediatric population served by the hospital.(c) Protocols for screening and assessment of pediatric patients shall be approved by the medical staff and shall be individualized for the age and presenting signs and symptoms of the patient. In addition to the screening and assessment information required for all patients, the general screening and assessment protocol for pediatric patients shall include at a minimum:1. Chronological age, weight, and length or height;2. For infants and young children, a measurement of head circumference;4. A statement as to the developmental age and growth of the child as related to established norms; and5. Family relationships, including expected family involvement during treatment.(d) The hospital shall establish and implement policies and procedures to prohibit access to pediatric patients by unauthorized persons and to prevent kidnapping or elopement of pediatric patients.(e) The hospital shall provide space and equipment to allow for visitation of family members in the patient rooms and to allow for overnight stay of a parent or guardian where the parent or guardian's presence does not interfere with the course of treatment. The pediatric patient's medical record shall clearly indicate persons who are not permitted to visit the pediatric patient.(f) Medical supplies and equipment including emergency equipment appropriate to the size and age of the pediatric patient shall be available in all areas of the hospital providing services to pediatric patients.(g) The phone number for the Poison Control Center shall be available in a conspicuous place in the pediatric service area(s).(h) Where pediatrics is provided as an organized service, there must be a qualified physician member of the medical staff with experience or training in pediatrics assigned responsibility for directing the clinical aspects of organization and delivery of all pediatric services provided by the hospital. The pediatric medical director shall be responsible for monitoring the quality and appropriateness of pediatric services in coordination with the hospital's quality management program and for ensuring that identified opportunities for improvement are addressed.(i) Hospitals providing services to pediatric patients as an organized service shall have space, facilities, and appropriately sized equipment for providing those services apart from adult patient rooms and newborn units and shall provide for regular and routine cleaning of play equipment in the pediatric area according to protocols established for that purpose by the hospital's infection control program.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-40-.35
O.C.G.A. § 31-7-2.1.
Original Rule entitled "Pediatric Services" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2013; eff. Mar. 12, 2013.