The bill amends Chapter 5-34 of the General Laws regarding nurses by adding a new section, 5-34-51, which focuses on foot care services provided in home settings. It establishes the rights of home care patients and clients to receive safe, appropriate, and high-quality foot care and services in a timely manner, with consideration, dignity, respect, and privacy. The bill defines key terms such as "client education" and "home services," outlining the scope of foot care that nurses can provide, which includes assessing past medical history, health habits, circulation, and skin integrity, as well as implementing care plans that include hygiene and the shortening of toe and finger nails, and educating clients on foot health.

Additionally, the bill mandates that nurses providing home services foot care must have theoretical knowledge of and demonstrate clinical competency in various aspects of foot and lower extremity care, including anatomy and physiology, common foot pathology, nursing assessment, and infection control. It requires that two hours of continuing education out of the ten hours required for certification be focused on foot care. Furthermore, nurses whose home care services are limited to providing home services foot care as described in this section shall be exempt from the requirements of 23-15-2 and 23-17-42. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
6088: 5-29-1