Edition 1: November 2023

Did you know all staff members employed at the facility are required to receive in-service training unless it states "for designated staff members only"? Section 504.A of Regulation 61-84 lists all of the required training that must be signed, dated and completed prior to resident contact and annually thereafter unless otherwise specified by certificate, e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

⚠️Don't forget, annual is defined as a time period that requires an activity to be performed at least every 12 to 13 months.

The General Appropriations Bill regarding the State of South Carolina’s budget has a section regarding nursing home staffing standards that states, in part, “34.24. (DHEC: Health Facilities Licensing Monetary Penalties)… Regulations for nursing home staffing for the current fiscal year must (1) provide a minimum of one and sixty-three hundredths (1.63) hours of direct care per resident per day from the non-licensed nursing staff; and (2) maintain at least one licensed nurse per shift for each staff work area. All other staffing standards and non-staffing standards established in Standards for Licensing Nursing Homes: R61- 17, Code of State Regulations, must be enforced.”

Learn more.

A facility must use the services of a registered nurse for at least eight consecutive hours a day, seven days a week.

The director of nursing may only serve as a charge nurse when the facility’s average daily census is 60 or fewer residents.

ANY and ALL abuse must be reported to the Bureau of Healthcare Quality.

Reporting Timeframe for Nursing Homes:

• 2-Hour: Abuse of any kind is to be reported within 2 hours by the facility. Access the 2/24-hour form here.
• 24-Hour: If the alleged violation does not involve abuse and does not result in serious bodily injury. Access the 2/24-hour form here.
• 5 Working Days: All facility allegations are to be investigated and reported to Healthcare Quality within five working days of the initial 2-hour or 24-hour report to Healthcare Quality. Access the 5-day follow-up form here.

With colder weather approaching the Division of Fire & Life Safety wants to remind all facilities to properly maintain facility fire sprinklers.

The codes and standards require that all Fire Protection systems be maintained in proper working order, including protecting fire sprinkler systems from freezing temperatures. Fire sprinkler systems may not be taken out of service as protection from freezing. Water-filled piping shall be maintained at a minimum temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) and not exposed to freezing conditions. Dry pipe fire sprinkler systems may also freeze if the system has not been properly drained. Prepare for freezing temperatures now. It will help you avoid costly repairs or citations later. 

 As always, contact the Division of Fire & Life Safety if you have questions. 

Healthcare Quality

S.C. Dept. of Health & Environmental Control

Connect: www.scdhec.gov  Facebook  Twitter