(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Administer” means to initiate the venipuncture and deliver an IV fluid or IV admixture into the blood stream through a vein, and to monitor and care for the venipuncture site, terminate the procedure and record pertinent events and observations;

(2) “IV admixture” means an IV fluid to which one or more additional drug products have been added;

(3) “IV fluid” means sterile solutions of fifty milliliters or more, intended for intravenous infusion, but does not include blood and blood products;

(4) “IV therapy” means the introduction of an IV fluid or IV admixture into the blood stream through a vein for the purpose of correcting water deficit and electrolyte imbalances, providing nutrition, and delivering antibiotics and other therapeutic agents approved by a chronic and convalescent nursing home's or a rest home with nursing supervision's medical staff;

(5) “IV therapy program” means the overall plan by which a chronic and convalescent nursing home or a rest home with nursing supervision implements, monitors and safeguards the administration of IV therapy to patients; and

(6) “IV therapy nurse” means a registered nurse who is qualified by education and training and has demonstrated proficiency in the theoretical and clinical aspects of IV therapy to administer an IV fluid or IV admixture.

(b) An IV therapy nurse or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to section 20-12b, who is employed by, or operating under a contract to provide services in, a chronic and convalescent nursing home or a rest home with nursing supervision that operates an IV therapy program may administer a peripherally inserted central catheter as part of such facility's IV therapy program. The Department of Public Health shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the purposes of this section.

(P.A. 11-40, S. 1; P.A. 13-208, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 13-208 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision allowing licensed physician assistant to administer peripherally inserted central catheter.