2006 Ohio Revised Code - 3712.01. Definitions.

§ 3712.01. Definitions.
 

As used in this chapter: 

(A) "Hospice care program" means a coordinated program of home, outpatient, and inpatient care and services that is operated by a person or public agency and that provides the following care and services to hospice patients, including services as indicated below to hospice patients' families, through a medically directed interdisciplinary team, under interdisciplinary plans of care established pursuant to section 3712.06 of the Revised Code, in order to meet the physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and other special needs that are experienced during the final stages of illness, dying, and bereavement: 

(1) Nursing care by or under the supervision of a registered nurse; 

(2) Physical, occupational, or speech or language therapy, unless waived by the department of health pursuant to rules adopted under division (A) of section 3712.03 of the Revised Code; 

(3) Medical social services by a social worker under the direction of a physician; 

(4) Services of a home health aide; 

(5) Medical supplies, including drugs and biologicals, and the use of medical appliances; 

(6) Physician's services; 

(7) Short-term inpatient care, including both palliative and respite care and procedures; 

(8) Counseling for hospice patients and hospice patients' families; 

(9) Services of volunteers under the direction of the provider of the hospice care program; 

(10) Bereavement services for hospice patients' families. 

(B) "Hospice patient" means a patient who has been diagnosed as terminally ill, has an anticipated life expectancy of six months or less, and has voluntarily requested and is receiving care from a person or public agency licensed under this chapter to provide a hospice care program. 

(C) "Hospice patient's family" means a hospice patient's immediate family members, including a spouse, brother, sister, child, or parent, and any other relative or individual who has significant personal ties to the patient and who is designated as a member of the patient's family by mutual agreement of the patient, the relative or individual, and the patient's interdisciplinary team. 

(D) "Interdisciplinary team" means a working unit composed of professional and lay persons that includes at least a physician, a registered nurse, a social worker, a member of the clergy or a counselor, and a volunteer. 

(E) "Palliative care" means treatment directed at controlling pain, relieving other symptoms, and focusing on the special needs of a hospice patient and the hospice patient's family as they experience the stress of the dying process rather than treatment aimed at investigation and intervention for the purpose of cure or prolongation of life. 

(F) "Physician" means a person authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery. 

(G) "Attending physician" means the physician identified by the hospice patient or the hospice patient's family as having primary responsibility for the hospice patient's medical care. 

(H) "Registered nurse" means a person registered under Chapter 4723. of the Revised Code to practice professional nursing. 

(I) "Social worker" means a person licensed under Chapter 4757. of the Revised Code to practice as a social worker or independent social worker. 
 

HISTORY: 141 v S 22 (Eff 3-1-87); 146 v S 223. Eff 3-18-97.