(a) The facility must ensure a qualified dietitian is available as frequently and for such time as is necessary to assure each resident a diet that meets the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident, based upon the acuity and clinical needs of the resident. The facility must ensure that monthly dietary consultant hours are provided, at a minimum, as follows:      
        (1) facility population: 60 residents or under - eight hours;       
        (2) facility population: each additional 30 residents or fraction thereof - additional four hours.       
      (b) To meet the consultant-hour requirement, time is accrued and counted exactly as rendered.     
      (c) The facility must outline  consultant services in a signed contract. This requirement does not apply to a facility that employs a qualified dietitian on the facility's staff.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §554.1104 adopted to be effective May 1, 1995, 20 TexReg 2393; amended to be effective March 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 1314; amended to be effective December 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 11665; amended to be effective March 24, 2020, 45 TexReg 2025; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871