§ 16-36-1 — Definitions

As used in this article:

(a) "Director" means the director of the division of health;

(b) "Engineering controls" means sharps prevention technology including, but not limited to, systems not using needles and needles with engineered sharps injury protection;

(c) "Facility" means every hospital licensed under the provisions of article five-b of this chapter; every nursing home licensed under the provisions of article five-c of this chapter; every local health department, every home health agency certified by the office of health facility licensure and certification, all hospitals and nursing homes operated by the state or any agency of the state and all hospitals, nursing homes, local health departments and home health agencies which are staffed, in whole or in part, by public employees;

(d) "Health care worker" means any person working in a facility;

(e) "Needleless system" means a device that does not utilize needles for the withdrawal of body fluids after initial venous or arterial access is established, the administration of medication or fluids, or any other procedure involving the potential for an exposure incident;

(f) "Needlestick injury" means the parenteral introduction into the body of a health care worker, during the performance of his or her duties, of blood or other potentially infectious material by a hollow-bore needle or sharp instrument, including, but not limited to, needles, lancets, scalpels and contaminated broken glass; and

(g) "Sharps" means hollow-bore needles or sharp instruments, including, but not limited to, needles, lancets and scalpels.

Legislative History

2000 Reg. Sess., HB4298