Section 250.2710  Special Care and Special Service Units

a)         As used in this Part, special care and service units include, but are not limited to, units for intensive care, burn care, coronary care, neonatal care, pulmonary care, respiratory care, physical therapy, social service, nuclear medicine, occupational therapy, and hemodialysis.

b)         The organization of special care and service  units shall be defined in writing and shall be integrated with other departments and services of the hospital.

c)         Each special care or service unit shall be under the direction of a physician who is board certified or board eligible with training and experience in the type of special care offered in that unit.

d)         The responsibility and the accountability of the special care and service units to the medical staff and administration shall be defined in writing.

e)         The units shall be governed by written policies and procedures specifically relating to utilization of the special care or service unit.

f)         The written policies and procedures shall be developed and maintained by the person responsible for the service in consultation with other appropriate health professionals and administration.  Policies shall be approved by the governing body.  Procedures shall be approved by the administration and medical staff where appropriate. Policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to:

1)         Admission, discharge and transfer policies;

2)         Staffing requirements;

3)         Routine procedures;

4)         Emergency procedures;

5)         Isolation procedures; and

6)         Infection control procedures.

g)         Qualified personnel shall be provided based on the scope and complexity of the services provided.  (Refer to Subpart D and Sections 250.1120 and 250.1130 for nursing inpatient units)

h)         Patient care provided by the nursing service shall be supervised and provided by qualified registered professional nurses specifically trained for the type of special care or service offered in that unit.  (Refer to Subpart D and Subpart I)

i)          Each special service or care unit shall have specific written policies acceptable to medical staff and administration defining the scope of responsibilities assigned to professional staff personnel.

j)          A continuing education program developed specifically for personnel of special care and service units shall be provided to ensure an optimum level of skills and performance.

k)         Periodically, an appropriate committee of the medical staff shall evaluate the services provided and make appropriate recommendations to the executive committee of the medical staff and administration.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 8128, effective May 26, 2026)