Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-10-.04 - Use of Nurse Protocols Authorized by O.C.G.A Section 43-34-26.1 (Influenza Vaccine Protocol Agreements) by Registered Nurses in Specific Settings

(1) The general purpose of this rule is to protect and safeguard the public by regulating the practice of registered nurses ("RNs") who use protocols in specific settings as authorized by O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1.

(2) A registered nurse who uses a nurse protocol in specific settings as authorized by O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1shall:

(a) Hold a current license to practice as a registered nurse in Georgia;

(b) Adhere to a nurse protocol which is a written document mutually agreed upon and signed by the nurse and licensed physician which delegates to the nurse the authority to perform specified medical acts and provides for immediate consultation with the delegating physician or a physician designated in the absence of the delegating physician;

(c) Document preparation and performance specific to each medical act authorized under O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1, including ordering dangerous drugs, medical treatments, or diagnostic studies and the dispensing of dangerous drugs in accordance with dispensing procedure and under the authority of a physician's order.

(3) The nurse protocol used by a RN pursuant to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1shall comply with the following criteria:

(a) Shall bear a current review date, be available upon request; and specify parameters under which delegated medical acts may be performed;

(b) Shall include a schedule for periodic review of patient records by the delegating physician;

(c) Shall be reviewed, revised or updated annually;

(d) Shall include a provision for immediate consultation with the delegating physician designated in the absence of the delegating physician;

(e) Shall comply with provisions for ordering or dispensing drugs under subsection (b) of Code Section 26-4-130 and the rules and regulations established pursuant thereto by the State Board of Pharmacy and adhere to a written dispensing procedure when dispensing dangerous drugs as required by O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1(a)(5).

(4) A registered nurse may practice under protocol pursuant to the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1as an agent or employee of the following:

(a) The Georgia Department of Public Health;

(b) Any county board of health;

(c) Any organization:

1.Which is exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code as defined in Code Section 48-1-2, other than an organization which is a hospital, preferred provider organization, health maintenance organization, or similar organization; or

2.Established under the authority of or receiving funds pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 254 b or 254c of the United States Public Health Service Act.

3.Which organization provides that those medical services and dangerous drugs which are ordered or dispensed by its nurses will be provided at no cost to patient or at a cost based solely upon the patient's ability to pay.

(d) An outpatient clinic:

1.Which is owned or operated by a licensed hospital;

2.Which provides such drugs, treatments, or studies free or at a charge to the patient based solely upon the patient's ability to pay; provided, however, such charge shall not exceed the actual cost to the outpatient clinic; and

3.Whose services are primarily provided to the medically disadvantaged.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 410-10-.04

O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-25, 43-26-2, and 43-26-5.

Original Rule entitled "Use of Nurse Protocols Authorized by O.C.G.A. § 43-34-26.1(Influenza Vaccine Protocol Agreements)by Registered Nurses in Specific Settings" adopted. F. Aug. 24, 2015; eff. Sept. 13, 2015.