<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 30.08.10.06" title_num="30" subtitle_num="08" chapter_num="10" heading="Nursing Personnel.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A neurotrauma center shall have:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A nurse manager who is administratively responsible for the center;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An organizational chart relating the nurse manager to other members of the neurotrauma center and the hospital; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A masters-prepared advanced practice nurse with clinical expertise in neurotrauma care with responsibility for clinical nursing oversight and nursing staff consultation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The nurse manager shall have:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A registered nurse license;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>At least 2 or more years of experience in acute neurotrauma care; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>At least 1 year or more of experience in an intensive care unit (ICU).</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The neurotrauma center nursing department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Have a patient classification system/staffing matrix for nurse staffing that meets the care needs for each patient in the neurotrauma center;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Have a neurotrauma center orientation program that documents nursing competencies specific to the care and treatment of acute neurologic injuries;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Have appropriately trained nursing staff to manage the complex physical and emotional needs of neurotrauma patients;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Have a neurotrauma orientation program that each new staff nurse hired shall complete before assuming independent practice in the center;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>After completion of the introductory education mandated in this regulation, have continuing education (CE) that is current, meeting the following requirements:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>8 hours of neuro/trauma-related CE every year for emergency and neurotrauma critical care or intermediate care nurses caring primarily for neurotrauma patients; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>4 hours of neuro/trauma-related CE every year for nurses who care for trauma patients and are from other clinical areas; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Promote specialty certification for nurses working in the neurotrauma ICU and units within 3 years of assignment to neurotrauma.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Nurses in the ICU shall spend 50 percent of their clinical practice caring for patients with neurologic injury.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Neurotrauma nursing staff shall be involved with the centers injury prevention and outreach education programs.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>