§ 23-17-10.5 - Medical director and attending physician file.
SECTION 23-17-10.5
§ 23-17-10.5 Medical director andattending physician file. – (a) Each nursing facility licensed under this chapter shall designate aphysician to serve as medical director. The medical director shall beresponsible for implementation of resident care policies and for thecoordination of medical care in the facility. Such responsibilities shallinclude, but not be limited to: the implementation of facility policies andprocedures related to the medical care delivered in the facility; physician andadvanced practice practitioner credentialing; practitioner performance reviews;employee health including infection control measures; evaluation of health caredelivery, including oversight of medical records and participation in qualityimprovement; provision of staff education on medical issues; participation instate survey process, including the resolution of deficiencies as needed; andsuch other duties and responsibilities as may be stipulated in regulationspromulgated by the department of health.
(b) The medical director, charged with the aforementionedduties and responsibilities for the delivery of medical care in the nursingfacility, shall be immune from civil or criminal prosecution for reporting tothe board of medical licensure and discipline the unprofessional conduct,incompetence or negligence of a nursing facility physician or limitedregistrant; provided, that the report, testimony or other communication wasmade in good faith and while acting within the scope of authority conferred bythis section. Each nursing facility shall maintain an active file of allcurrent attending physicians including their phone number and address, anemergency phone number, their current medical license number, and theirpreferred hospital admitting privileges. The director of the department ofhealth is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implementthe provisions of this section.