Sec. 10.27.11.02. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Accountability" means being answerable for actions of self or others.

(2) "Board" means the Board of Nursing.

(3) "Certified medicine aide (CMA)" means an individual who meets the requirements as stated in COMAR 10.39.01 and 10.39.03.

(4) "Certified nursing assistant (CNA)" means an individual certified by the Board as a nursing assistant.

(5) "Client" means the recipient of nursing care.

(6) "Delegation" means the act of authorizing an unlicensed individual, a certified nursing assistant, or a medication technician to perform acts of registered nursing or licensed practical nursing.

(7) "Evaluation" means the review and analysis of the extent to which the assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, and implementation phases of the nursing process were effective in resolving the client's identified problems.

(8) “Family” means related family members, foster parents, domestic partners, and legal guardians.

(9) "Geriatric nursing assistant (GNA)" means a CNA who has successfully completed the requirements for a GNA set forth in 42 CFR §§483.151-483.156 and COMAR 10.39.01.

(10) "Home health aide (HHA)" means a CNA who has successfully completed the requirements for certification as a HHA set forth in 42 CFR §484.36 and COMAR 10.39.01.

(11) “Licensed practical nurse” means an individual who is licensed by the Board to practice licensed practical nursing or has a multistate licensure privilege to practice licensed practical nursing.

(12) "Medication technician" means an individual who completes a 20-hour course in medication administration approved by the Board and is certified by the Board.

(13) Model of Nursing Practice.

(a) "Model of nursing practice" means the policies, procedures, and practice guidelines:

(i) Established by the facility, which are consistent with this chapter regarding delegation of nursing functions and regulations governing the facility; and

(ii) That provide direction to nursing staff on the delivery of care to the client population which the facility serves.

(b) "Model of nursing practice" may not supersede a delegating nurse's prudent judgment regarding:

(i) Delegation of a nursing function to a certified nursing assistant, an unlicensed individual, or a medication technician; or

(ii) A particular delegated nursing function to that individual or individuals.

(14) “Multistate licensure privilege” has the meaning set forth in COMAR 10.27.01.01B.

(15) “Nurse” means a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

(16) "Pressure ulcer" means a decubitus ulcer stage I through IV, the care for which includes cleaning, applying topical medication, and dressing without packing.

(17) "Readily available" means, in:

(a) A structured setting:

(i) The delegating nurse is physically present on the unit; and

(ii) The nurse may transfer responsibility for the nursing supervision and delegation to another nurse who then becomes the nurse delegating the nursing functions; and

(b) Other settings, the delegating nurse is on the premises or else is available by telephone.

(18) “Registered nurse (RN)” means an individual who:

(a) Is licensed by the Board to practice registered nursing; or

(b) Has a multistate licensure privilege to practice registered nursing.

(19) "Responsibility" means the charge to do something.

(20) "Routine care" means those activities necessary on a daily basis for the client to gain or maintain a level of functioning.

(21) "Structured setting" means a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, ambulatory care setting, surgicenter, or any other acute or chronic care facility.

(22) "Supervised group living settings" means assisted living facilities, group homes for juveniles, group homes for emotionally disturbed children, alternative living units for the developmentally disabled, or any other facility or setting providing supervised living arrangements for groups of unrelated individuals.

(23) "Supervision" means the process of critical watching, directing, and evaluating another's performance.

(24) "Unlicensed individual" means an individual who is not licensed or certified to provide nursing care under Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(25) Wound.

(a) "Wound" means venous stasis ulcer or ulcers, a dehissed wound, or any other break in the integrity of the full thickness of skin that involves the subcutaneous tissue or fascia.

(b) "Wound" may include tunneling or a sinus tract.

(c) "Wound" does not include an uncomplicated healing surgical wound.