Hospital: NEW MEXICO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 7. HEALTH
CHAPTER 7. HOSPITALS
PART 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACUTE CARE, LIMITED SERVICES AND SPECIAL HOSPITALS
§ 7.7.2.26. NURSING SERVICES
J. Additional Patient Care Requirements.
(1) In this subsection, "circulating nurse" means a professional registered nurse who is present during an operation to provide emotional support to the patient, assist with the anesthesia induction, and throughout the surgical procedure or delivery, coordinate the activities of the room, monitor the traffic in the room, maintain an accurate account of urine and blood loss, and who, before the surgical procedure or delivery is completed, informs the recovery rooms of specials needs and ensures that the sponge, needle and instrument counts have been done according to hospital policy.
(3) Surgical:
(b) A qualified professional registered nurse shall function as the circulating nurse in the surgical and obstetrical room whenever general anesthesia is used and on all local anesthesia cases involving a high degree of patient risk. Individual surgical technologists and licensed practical nurses may function as assistants under the direct supervision of a qualified professional registered nurse.
ASC: None
Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs)
Reimbursement Laws: None
Definition: None
Scope of Practice: None
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