Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-56-.01 - Definitions

Unless a different meaning is required by the context, the following terms as used in these rules and regulations shall have the meaning hereafter respectively ascribed to them; except, however, same do not apply to nursing homes owned or operated by the Federal Government:

(a) "Nursing Home" is a facility which admits patients on medical referral only and for whom arrangements have been made for continuous medical supervision; it maintains the services and facilities for skilled nursing care, rehabilitative nursing care, and has a satisfactory agreement with a physician and dentist who will be available for any medical and/or dental emergency and who will be responsible for the general medical and dental supervision of the home; it otherwise complies with these rules and regulations;

(b) "Skilled Nursing Care" means the application of recognized nursing methods, procedures, and actions directed toward implementation of the physician's prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic plan, detection of changes in the human body's regulatory system, preservation of such body defenses, prevention of complications, and promotion of emotional well-being, including but not limited to the following:

1. The administration of oral or injectable medications which cannot be self-administered. Other examples include the administration of oxygen, the use of suction, the insertion or changing of catheters, the application of medicated dressings, the use of aseptic technique and preparation of the patient for special procedures;

2. Observation in the care of the patient for symptoms and/or physical and mental signs that may develop and which will require attention of the physician and a revision in the patient's treatment regimen.

(c) "Rehabilitative Nursing" means the use of nursing skills and techniques to combat deformities and helplessness, to maintain or restore body functions, and to promote independence in self-care. Such techniques will include but not be limited to the following:

1. Positioning patients in or out of bed to maintain good body alignment (unless contraindicated by physician's orders), the use of range of motion exercises to maintain joint mobility;

2. Arranging a progression of self-care activities such as transfer and walking, and attention to bowel and bladder schedules together with retraining when indicated.

(d) The term "Distinct Part" means a physically identifiable unit of a medical facility such as an entire ward or contiguous wards, wing, floor, or building. It consists of all beds and related facilities in the unit;

(e) The term "Nursing Unit" means the number of patient beds assigned to a nurses' station;

(f) The term "Nurses' Station" means a circumscribed location containing communication and recording tools and equipment essential for the operation of nursing services;

(g) The terms "Patient" and "Resident" mean any person residing in and receiving care or treatment in a nursing home;

(h) The terms "Patient Care Plan" or "Plan of Care" mean a personalized daily plan of care indicating what care is needed, how it can be best accomplished for each patient, how each patient likes things done, what methods and approaches are most successful, and what modifications are necessary to ensure best results;

(i) The term "Patient Activities Program" means a schedule of events which are regularly planned and available for all patients, including social and recreational activities involving active participation by the patient, entertainment of appropriate frequency and character, and opportunities for participation in community activities as possible and appropriate;

(j) The term "Transfer Agreement" means a written contract with other facilities providing for transfer of patients between the facilities and for interchange of medical and other information when the facility cannot provide the level of care needed by the patient;

(k) "Physician" shall mean a doctor of medicine and/or a doctor of osteopathy duly licensed to practice in this State by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, under the provision of the Georgia Medical Practice Act, O.C.G.A. § 43-34-20et seq.;

(l) "Dentist" means any person who is licensed to practice in this State under the provisions of the Dentists and Dental Hygienists Act;

(m) "Pharmacist" shall mean an individual licensed to practice pharmacy in accordance with the provisions of O.C.G.A. § 26-4-1et seq.;

(n) "Physical Therapist" shall mean an individual who practices physical therapy, and who is registered with the Board of Physical Therapy of the State of Georgia, O.C.G.A. § 43-33-1et seq.;

(o) A "Registered Nurse" is a person who holds a current and valid license as a registered nurse issued by the State of Georgia;

(p) A "Licensed Undergraduate Nurse" is a person who holds a current and valid license as a licensed undergraduate nurse issued by the State of Georgia;

(q) A "Licensed Practical Nurse" is a person who holds a current and valid license as a licensed practical nurse by the State of Georgia;

(r) The term "Full-time Employee" means any person employed who normally works forty (40) hours per week in the home;

(s) The term "Governing Body" means the Board of Trustees, the partnership, the corporation, the association, the person or group of persons who maintain and control the home and who is legally responsible for the operation;

(t) The term "Administrator" means an individual who is licensed by the Georgia State Board of Nursing Home Administrators and who has the necessary authority and responsibility for management of the home;

(u) "Permit" means authorization by the Department to the Governing Body to operate a home and signifies satisfactory compliance with these rules and regulations;

(v) "Provisional Permit" means authorization by the Department to the Governing Body to operate a home on a conditional basis for a period not to exceed six months to allow a newly established home a reasonable but limited period of time to demonstrate operational procedures in satisfactory compliance with these rules and regulations; or to allow an existing home a reasonable length of time to comply with these rules and regulations, provided said home shall first present a plan of improvement acceptable to the Department. Successive Provisional Permits may be granted to any home having deficiencies only in exceptional cases, in which cases the Governing Body must present a plan of improvement acceptable to the Department;

(w) The term "Plan of Improvement" means a written plan submitted by the Governing Body and acceptable to the Department. The plan shall identify the existing noncompliance of the institution, the proposed procedures, methods, means and period of time to correct the noncompliance;

(x) The term "Board" means the Board of Community Health of the State of Georgia;

(y) The term "Department" means the Department of Community Health of the State of Georgia;

(z) The term "Commissioner" means the chief executive of the Department.

(aa) The term "Dining Assistant" means an individual employed or compensated by the nursing home, or who is used under an arrangement with another agency or organization, to provide assistance with feeding and hydration to residents in need of such assistance. Such individual shall not provide other personal care or nursing services unless certified as a nurse aide or licensed as a registered nurse or practical nurse.

(bb) "Certified Medication Aide" is a person who is a Georgia certified nurse aide and in good standing with the Department who has successfully completed a state-approved medication aide training program, successfully passed a written competency examination and has demonstrated the requisite clinical skills to serve as a medication aide and who is registered on the Georgia Certified Medication Aide Registry.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-56-.01

O.C.G.A. § 31-7-1et seq.

Original Rule entitled "Definitions" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2013; eff. Mar. 12, 2013. Amended: F. Dec. 29, 2021; eff. Jan. 18, 2022.