HB 1247 - Pediatric Subacute Care Units Summary

• Creates section 395.1028 of Florida Statutes establishing requirements for pediatric subacute care units in skilled nursing facilities serving patients under 21 years of age who are medically fragile and require medical technology support.

• Requires units to designate a resident care manager (one full-time position per 20 patients) who is a registered nurse responsible for coordinating admissions, discharge planning, family education, and quarterly care plan meetings.

• Mandates comprehensive developmental assessments for patients under 36 months of age and requires collaboration with local education agencies to develop individualized education plans for patients 36 months and older.

• Establishes minimum staffing requirements including 7.0 licensed nursing hours per patient day (24 hours registered nurse, 1.5 hours certified nursing assistant, 2.5 hours respiratory care), one registered nurse per shift, and a head nurse with 10 continuing education units in pediatric critical care within 1 year of hire.

• Requires all licensed nurses to complete 10 continuing education units for critically ill children within 1 year of hire and 40 hours of direct practical experience with technology-dependent pediatric patients within 2 months of hire; effective July 1, 2014.