N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-6.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:35-6.6 - Standards for joint protocols between advanced practice nurses and collaborating physicians

(a) The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Collaboration" means the ongoing process by which an advanced practice nurse and a physician engage in practice, consistent with agreed upon parameters of their respective practices.

"Device" means an article, other than medication, for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, injury, pain or deformity or physical or emotional condition or health problem in humans or intended to affect the structure or function of the human body.

"Joint protocol" means an agreement or contract between an advanced practice nurse and a collaborating physician which conforms to the standards established by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs pursuant to this rule.

"Medication" means any substance for which a prescription is required which is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, injury, pain or deformity or physical or emotional condition or health problem in humans or intended to affect the structure or function of the human body.

(b) Advance practice nurses who seek to prescribe or order medications or devices and the collaborating physician(s) with whom they are in collaboration shall develop a joint protocol, which shall be:

1. In writing;

2. Signed by both the advanced practice nurse and the physician, with an acknowledgment that any inappropriate professional behavior or violation of the protocol on the part of either the physician or the advanced practice nurse will be reported to his or her respective licensing board;

3. Maintained on the premises of every office in which the advanced practice nurse practices;

4. Updated on an ongoing basis to reflect changes in the practice, office personnel, skills of the advanced practice nurse, frequency of record review, and reference materials containing practice guidelines or accepted standards of practice; and

5. Reviewed at least on an annual basis.

(c) The content of a joint protocol under (b) above shall address:

1. The nature of the practice, the patient population (for example, pediatric patients) and settings (for example, inpatient, nursing home, patient residences or other alternative care environments);

2. Any particular circumstances for which, prior to prescribing, a specific examination is to be performed or a definitive diagnosis made;

3. The recordkeeping methodology to be used in the practice (for example, the protocol might indicate that records should contain subjective complaints, objective findings, an assessment and a plan of treatment);

4. A list of categories of medications appropriate to the practice;

5. A delineation of specific medications and the specific number of refills, to be prescribed pursuant to the direction of the physician;

6. Specific requirements with respect to the recordation, in the patient record and/or in separate logs, of medications prescribed or dispensed, dosages, frequency, duration, instructions for use and authorizations for refills;

7. Any medical conditions or findings within the nature of the practice which should require direct consultation prior to the prescribing or ordering of medications or devices;

8. The frequency and methodology to be employed to ensure periodic review of patient records;

9. Identification of the means by which the advanced practice nurse and collaborating physician can be in direct communication, as well as a description of arrangements which will assure that the collaborating physician or peer coverage is accessible and available;

10. Procedures for the use of medications in emergency situations; and

11. Identification of reference materials containing practice guidelines or accepted standards of practice.

(d) Failure to establish and implement joint protocols consistent with the standards set forth in this section and any violation of the joint protocol by an advanced practice nurse or physician may be deemed professional misconduct or other grounds for disciplinary sanction within the meaning of N.J.S.A. 45:1-21 by his or her respective licensing board.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-6.6

New Rule, R.2000 d.274, effective 7/3/2000 (operative September 1, 2000).
See: 31 New Jersey Register 1459(a), 32 New Jersey Register 2448(a).