NPR-I-19 STANDARDIZED PROCEDURE GUIDELINES
REV 07/1993, 07/1997, 01/2011
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BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY • GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING
PO BOX 944210, Sacramento, CA 94244-2100
P (916) 322-3350 | TTY (800) 326-2297 | www.rn.ca.gov
STANDARDIZED PROCEDURE GUIDELINES
Website: http://www.rn.ca.gov/regulations/title16.shtml#1470
ARTICLE 7. STANDARDIZED PROCEDURE GUIDELINES
1470. Purpose
The Board of Registered Nursing in conjunction with the Division of Allied Health Professions of the board of
Medical Quality Assurance (see the regulations of the Board of Medical Quality Assurance, Article 9.5, Chapter 13,
Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations) intends, by adopting the regulations contained in the article, to jointly
promulgate guidelines for the development of standardized procedures to be used in organized health care systems
which are subject to this rule. The purpose of these guidelines is:
(a) To protect consumers by providing evidence that the nurse meets all requirements to practice safely.
(b) To provide uniformity in development of standardized procedures.
1471. Definitions
For purposes of this article:
(a) "Standardized procedure functions" means those functions specified in Business and Professions Code Section
2725(c) and (d) which are to be performed according to "standardized procedures";
(b) "Organized health care system" means a health facility which is not licensed pursuant to Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 1250), Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and includes, but is not limited to, clinics,
home health agencies, physicians' offices and public or community health services;
(c) "Standardized procedures" means policies and protocols formulated by organized health care systems for the
performance of standardized procedure functions.
1472. Standardized Procedure Functions
An organized health care system must develop standardized procedures before permitting registered nurses to
perform standardized procedure functions. A registered nurse may perform standardized procedure functions only
under the conditions specified in a health care system's standardized procedures; and must provide the system with
satisfactory evidence that the nurse meets its experience, training, and/or education requirements to perform such
functions.
1473. Standardized Procedures
NOTE: Authority cited: Section 2715, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section 2725,
Business and Professions Code. HISTORY: Repealed 12-4-85.
1474. Standardized Procedure Guidelines
Following are the standardized procedure guidelines jointly promulgated by the Division of Allied Health
Professions of the Board of Medical Quality Assurance and by the Board of Registered Nursing:
(a) Standardized procedures shall include a written description of the method used in developing and approving
them and any revision thereof.
(b) Each standardized procedure shall:
(1) Be in writing, dated and signed by the organized health care system personnel authorized to approve it.
(2) Specify which standardized procedure functions registered nurses may perform and under what circumstances.
(3) State any specific requirements which are to be followed by registered nurses in performing particular
standardized procedure functions.
NPR-I-19 STANDARDIZED PROCEDURE GUIDELINES
REV 07/1993, 07/1997, 01/2011 2
(4) Specify any experience, training, and/or education requirements for performance of standardized procedure
functions.
(5) Establish a method for initial and continuing evaluation of the competence of those registered nurses authorized
to perform standardized procedure functions.
(6) Provide for a method of maintaining a written record of those persons authorized to perform standardized
procedure functions.
(7) Specify the scope of supervision required for performance of standardized procedure functions, for example,
immediate supervision by a physician.
(8) Set forth any specialized circumstances under which the registered nurse is to immediately communicate with a
patient's physician concerning the patient's condition.
(9) State the limitations on settings, if any, in which standardized procedure functions may be performed.
(10) Specify patient record keeping requirements.
(11) Provide for a method of periodic review of the standardized procedures.
