Sec.19-13-D66. Definitions

As used in Sections 19-13-D66 to 19-13-D79 inclusive:

(a) “Agency” means home health care agency as defined in Section 19a-490 (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes;

(b) “Central Office” means the agency office responsible and accountable for all agency operations in this state;

(c) “Clinical experience” means employment in providing patient services in a health care setting;

(d) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of health services, or his/her representative;

(e) “Contracted services” or “services under arrangement” means services provided by the agency which are subject to a written agreement with an individual, another agency or another facility;

(f) “Contractor” means any organization, individual or home health care agency that provides services to patients of a primary agency as defined in paragraph (cc) of Section 19-13-D66 of these regulations;

(g) “Chiropractor” means a person possessing a license to practice chiropractic in this state;

(h) “Curriculum” means the plan of classroom and clinical instructions for training and skills assessment as a homemaker-home health aide;

(i) “Dentist” means a person licensed to practice dentistry in this state;

(j) “Department” means the Connecticut Department of Health Services;

(k) “Direct service staff” means individuals employed by the agency or under contract whose primary responsibility is delivery of care to patients;

(l) “Evening or nighttime service” means service provided between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.;

(m) “Full-time” means employed and on duty a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours per workweek on a regular basis;

(n) “Full-time equivalent” means the total weekly hours of work of all persons in each category of direct service staff divided by the number of hours in the agency's standard workweek. Full-time equivalents are computed for each category of direct service staff;

(o) “Holiday service” means service provided on the days specified in the agency's official personnel policies as holidays;

(p) “Homemaker-home health aide” means an unlicensed person who has successfully completed a training and competency evaluation program for the preparation of homemaker-home health aides approved by the department;

(q) “Licensed practical nurse” means a person with a license to practice practical nursing in this state;

(r) “Non-visiting program” means services of the agency provided in sites other than a patient's home;

(s) “Occupational therapist” means a person with a license to practice occupational therapy in this state;

(t) “Occupational therapy assistant” means a person who has successfully completed a training program approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association and is currently certified by the said association;

(u) “Patient care services” mean agency activities carried out by agency staff for or on behalf of a patient. Such services include, but are not limited to, receipt of referral for service, admission to service, assignment of personnel, direct patient care, communication/coordination with source of medical care and development/maintenance of patient's clinical record;

(v) “Patient service office” means one or more separate and distinct offices which provide patient care services and are included under the agency's license. This office shall comply with the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Section 19-13-D77;

(w) “Peer consultation” means a process by which professionals of the same discipline, who meet supervisory qualifications, meet regularly to review patient management, share expertise and take responsibility for their own and each other's professional development and maintenance of standards of service;

(x) “Permanent part-time” means employed and on duty a minimum of twenty (20) hours per workweek on a regular basis;

(y) “Pharmacist” means a person licensed to practice pharmacy in this state;

(z) “Physical therapy assistant” means a person who has successfully completed an education program accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association;

(aa) “Physician” means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed either in Connecticut or in a state which borders Connecticut;

(bb) “Podiatrist” means a person licensed to practice podiatry in this state;

(cc) “Primary agency” means a home health care agency which hires or pays for the services of other organizations, agencies or individuals who provide care or services to its patients;

(dd) “Primary care nurse” means a registered nurse licensed to practice nursing in this state who is the agency employee assigned primary responsibility for planning and implementing the patient's care;

(ee) “Public health nurse” means a graduate of a baccalaureate degree program in nursing approved by the National League for Nursing for preparation in public health nursing;

(ff) “Quality care” means that the patients receive clinically competent care which meets professional standards, are supported and directed in a planned pattern toward mutually defined outcomes, achieve maximum recovery consistent with individual potential and life style, obtain coordinated service through each level of care and are taught self-management and preventive health measures;

(gg) “Registered nurse” means a person with a license to practice as a registered nurse in this state;

(hh) “Registered physical therapist” means a person with a license to practice physical therapy in this state;

(ii) “Related community health program” means an organized program which provides health services to persons in a community setting;

(jj) “Representative” means a designated member of the patient's family, or person legally designated to act for the patient in the exercise of the patient's rights as contained in Sections 19-13-D66 to 19-13-D79 of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(kk) “Social work assistant” means a person who holds a baccalaureate degree in social work with at least one (1) year of social work experience; or a baccalaureate degree in a field related to social work with at least two (2) years of social work experience;

(ll) “Social worker” means a graduate of a master's degree program in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;

(mm) “Speech Pathologist” means a person with a license to practice speech pathology in this state;

(nn) “Subdivision” means a unit of a multifunction health care organization which is assigned the primary authority and responsibility for the agency operations. A subdivision shall independently meet the regulations and standards for licensure and shall be independently licensed as a home health care agency;

(oo) “Therapy services” means physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech pathology services;

(pp) “Weekend service” means services provided on Saturday or Sunday.

(Effective December 28, 1992)