(a) Written policies and procedures for patient care shall be developed, maintained and implemented by the nursing service.

(b) Policies and procedures shall be based on current standards of nursing practice and shall be consistent with the nursing process which includes: assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation, and, as circumstances require, patient advocacy.

(c) Policies and procedures which contain competency standards for staff performance in the delivery of patient care shall be established, implemented, and updated as needed for each nursing unit, including standards for the application of restraints. Standards shall include the elements of competency validation for patient care personnel other than registered nurses as set forth in Section 70016, and the elements of competency validation for registered nurses as set forth in Section 70016.1. At least annually, patient care personnel shall receive a written performance evaluation. The evaluation shall include, but is not limited to, measuring individual performance against established competency standards.

(d) Policies and procedures that require consistency and continuity in patient care, incorporating the nursing process and the medical treatment plan, shall be developed and implemented in cooperation with the medical staff.

(e) Policies and procedures shall be developed and implemented which establish mechanisms for rapid deployment of personnel when any labor intensive event occurs which prevents nursing staff from providing attention to all assigned patients, such as multiple admissions or discharges, or an emergency health crisis.