The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Ambulatory surgical facility.” An entity defined as an ambulatory surgical facility under the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L. 130, No. 48),¹ known as the Health Care Facilities Act.

“Antimicrobial agent.” A general term for drugs, chemicals or other substances that kill or slow the growth of microbes, including, but not limited to, antibacterial drugs, antiviral agents, antifungal agents and antiparasitic drugs.

“Authority.” The Patient Safety Authority established under this act.

“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” or “CDC.” The United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Colonization.” The first stage of microbial infection or the presence of nonreplicating microorganisms usually present in host tissues that are in contact with the external environment.

“Council.” The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council established under the act of July 8, 1986 (P.L. 408, No. 89),² known as the Health Care Cost Containment Act.

“Department.” The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

“Fund.” The Patient Safety Trust Fund as defined in section 305.³

“Health care-associated infection.” A localized or systemic condition that results from an adverse reaction to the presence of an infectious agent or its toxins that:

“Healthcare Facilities Act.” The act of July 19, 1979 (P.L. 130, No. 48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act.

“Health care facility.” A hospital or nursing home licensed or otherwise regulated to provide health care services under the laws of this Commonwealth.

“Health payor.” An individual or entity providing a group health, sickness or accident policy, subscriber contract or program issued or provided by an entity, including any one of the following:

“Medical assistance.” The Commonwealth's medical assistance program established under the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L. 31, No. 21),⁸ known as The Public Welfare Code.

“Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus” or “MRSA.” A strain of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and is difficult to treat medically.

“Multidrug-resistant organism” or “MDRO.” Microorganisms, predominantly bacteria, that are resistant to more than one class of antimicrobial agents.

“National Healthcare Safety Network” or “NHSN.” A secure Internet-based data collection system managed by the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Nationally recognized standards.” Standards developed by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its National Healthcare Safety Network.

“Nursing home.” An entity licensed as a long-term care nursing facility under the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L. 130, No. 48), known as The Health Care Facilities Act.

“Surveillance system.” An ongoing and comprehensive method of measuring health status, outcomes and related processes of care, analyzing data and providing information from data sources within a health care facility to assist in reducing health care-associated infections.