nurse staffing plan, including the number of registered
nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing
assistants and unlicensed assistive personnel on duty, should
be made available to the public in recognition of the fact
that hospital caregivers contribute to improved patient
safety and health care outcomes.
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Actual hours worked." The actual hours worked by a nurse
providing direct patient care during any portion of the nurse's
shift. The term includes a nurse's fifteen-minute breaks. The
term does not include meal breaks, benefit time, vacation,
medical leave, orientation, education or committee time.
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Direct care nurse" and "direct care nursing staff." A unit-
based registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or certified
nursing assistant with direct responsibility to oversee or carry
out medical regiments or nursing care for one or more patients.
The term does not include caseworkers, educators or nurse
specialists, such as a stoma nurse specialist, cardiac
rehabilitation nurse or wound care nurse, who concentrates on
only one facet of a patient's care and who interacts with
multiple patients in various hospital units.
"Hospital." A health care facility licensed under the act of
July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care
Facilities Act. The term includes critical access and long-term
acute care hospitals in both the private and public sector.
"Long-term acute care hospital." A hospital or health care
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