Hospital: ADMINISTRATIVE RULES OF MONTANA
TITLE 37: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
CHAPTER 106: HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
SUB-CHAPTER 4: MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR A HOSPITAL
37.106.401 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR A HOSPITAL: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
(3) The department hereby adopts and incorporates by reference 42 CFR 482.2 through 482.62 and 42 CFR 482.66(b), revised as of October 1, 2002. 42 CFR 482.2 through 482.62 set forth the conditions of participation a hospital must meet to participate in the medicare program . . . . *
* 42 CFR 482.51: Condition of participation: Surgical
services.
(1) The operating rooms must be supervised by an
experienced registered nurse or a doctor of medicine or
osteopathy.
(3) Qualified registered nurses may perform circulating
duties in the operating room. In accordance with applicable
State laws and approved medical staff policies and
procedures, LPNs and surgical technologists may assist in
circulatory duties under the supervision of a qualified
registered nurse who is immediately available to respond to
emergencies.
ASC: None
Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs)
Reimbursement Laws: None
Definition: None
Scope of Practice: Montana Board of Nursing, Declaratory Ruling, May 28, 1992
The role of an RN first assistant in preoperative preparation, intraoperative assistance and postoperative duties comes within the statute as administration of treatments authorized by physicians.
The institution employing the RN as first assistant has a specific written policy regarding the circumstances in which registered professional nurses may perform as first assistants and specifying the qualifications and training necessary to perform as first assistants.
