South Carolina § 44-7-262 - Minimum resident-staff ratios for nursing homes.

§ 44-7-262. Minimum resident-staff ratios for nursing homes.

(A) As a condition of licensure, in addition to the number of licensed nursing personnel required by R61-17, or any other regulation, a nursing home must provide at a minimum these resident-staff ratios for staff who provide nursing care:

(1) 9 to 1 for shift 1;

(2) 13 to 1 for shift 2;

(3) 22 to 1 for shift 3.

In those facilities utilizing two twelve-hour shifts, the staffing ratios for shift one apply to the twelve-hour shift occurring primarily during the day, and the staffing ratios for shift three apply to the twelve-hour shift occurring primarily during the night.

(B) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Shift 1" means a work shift that occurs primarily during the daytime hours including, but not limited to, a 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift;

(2) "Shift 2" means a work shift that generally includes both daytime and evening hours including, but not limited to, a 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. shift;

(3) "Shift 3" means a work shift that occurs primarily during the nighttime hours including, but not limited to, an 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 419, Part II, SECTION 46A.