Sub. S. B. No. 321 Summary

• Authorizes clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners employed by hospitals to sign documents related to patient admission, treatment, and discharge if requirements are met.

• Requires the collaborating physician or podiatrist to be employed by the hospital or on its medical staff and must have authorized the nurse in writing to sign such documents.

• Establishes standard care arrangement requirements including written criteria for patient referrals, consultation processes, emergency coverage plans, and dispute resolution procedures between nurses and collaborating physicians.

• Allows physicians or podiatrists collaborating with more than five nurses to collaborate simultaneously with no more than five nurses in prescribing practices.

• Provides liability protection to collaborating physicians or podiatrists for acts or omissions arising from a nurse signing authorized documents.