1. 1. “Adult” means an individual the hospital designates as an adult based on the hospital’s criteria.

2. 2. “Aftercare” means assistance provided to a patient by another individual in the patient’s residence, which is not part of a health care institution, following care provided at a hospital, and may include:

   1. a. Assisting the patient with activities of daily living, and
   2. b. Following the discharge instructions provided by the hospital.

3. 3. “Aftercare provider” means an individual who:

   1. a. May be a friend or relative of a patient or be the patient’s representative,
   2. b. Is designated by the patient or the patient’s representative to perform aftercare tasks, and
   3. c. Is not compensated for performing aftercare tasks for the patient.
4. 4. “Care plan” means a documented guide for providing nursing services and rehabilitation services to a patient that includes measurable objectives and the methods for meeting the objectives.
5. 5. “Continuing care nursery” means a nursery where medical services and nursing services are provided to a neonate who does not require intensive care services.

6. 6. “Critically ill inpatient” means an inpatient whose severity of medical condition requires the nursing services of specially trained registered nurses for:

   1. a. Continuous monitoring and multi-system assessment,
   2. b. Complex and specialized rapid intervention, and
   3. c. Education of the inpatient or inpatient’s representative.
7. 7. “Device” has the same meaning as in A.R.S. § 32-1901.
8. 8. “Diet” means food and drink provided to a patient.
9. 9. “Diet manual” means a written compilation of diets.
10. 10. “Dietary services” means providing food and drink to a patient according to an order.
11. 11. “Diversion” means notification to an emergency medical services provider, as defined in A.R.S. § 36-2201, that a hospital is unable to receive a patient from an emergency medical services provider.
12. 12. “Drug formulary” means a written list of medications available and authorized for use developed according to R9-10-218.
13. 13. “Gynecological services” means medical services for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of conditions or diseases of the female reproductive organs or breasts.
14. 14. “Hospital services” means medical services, nursing services, and health-related services provided in a hospital.
15. 15. “Infection control risk assessment” means determining the probability for transmission of communicable diseases.

16. 16. “Inpatient” means an individual who:

    1. a. Is admitted to a hospital as an inpatient according to policies and procedures,
    2. b. Is admitted to a hospital with the expectation that the individual will remain and receive hospital services for 24 consecutive hours or more, or
    3. c. Receives hospital services for 24 consecutive hours or more.
17. 17. “Intensive care services” means hospital services provided to a critically ill inpatient who requires the services of specially trained nursing and other personnel members as specified in policies and procedures.
18. 18. “Medical staff regulations” means standards, approved by the medical staff, that govern the day-to-day conduct of the medical staff members.
19. 19. “Multi-organized service unit” means an inpatient unit in a hospital where more than one organized service may be provided to a patient in the inpatient unit.

20. 20. “Neonate” means an individual:

    1. a. From birth until discharge following birth, or
    2. b. Who is designated as a neonate by hospital criteria.
21. 21. “Nurse anesthetist” has the same meaning as “certified registered nurse anesthetist” in A.R.S. § 32-1601.
22. 22. “Nurse executive” means a registered nurse accountable for the direction of nursing services provided in a hospital.
23. 23. “Nursery” means an area in a hospital designated only for neonates.
24. 24. “Nutrition assessment” means a process for determining a patient’s dietary needs using information contained in the patient’s medical record.
25. 25. “On duty” means that an individual is at work and performing assigned responsibilities.
26. 26. “Organized service” means specific medical services, such as surgical services or emergency services, provided in an area of a hospital designated for the provision of those medical services.

27. 27. “Outpatient” means an individual who:

    1. a. Is admitted to a hospital with the expectation that the individual will receive hospital services for less than 24 consecutive hours; or
    2. b. Except as provided in subsection (17) receives, hospital services for less than 24 consecutive hours.
28. 28. “Pathology” means an examination of human tissue for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of an illness or disease.
29. 29. “Patient care” means hospital services provided to a patient by a personnel member or a medical staff member.
30. 30. “Pediatric” means pertaining to an individual designated by a hospital as a child based on the hospital’s criteria.
31. 31. “Perinatal services” means medical services for the treatment and management of obstetrical patients and neonates.
32. 32. “Post-anesthesia care unit” means a designated area for monitoring a patient following a medical procedure for which anesthesia was administered to the patient.
33. 33. “Private duty staff” means an individual, excluding a personnel member, compensated by a patient or the patient’s representative.
34. 34. “Social services” means assistance, other than medical services or nursing services, provided by a personnel member to a patient to assist the patient to cope with concerns about the patient’s illness or injury while in the hospital or the anticipated needs of the patient after discharge.
35. 35. “Surgical services” means medical services involving a surgical procedure.
36. 36. “Transfusion” means the introduction of blood or blood products from one individual into the body of another individual.
37. 37. “Unit” means a designated area of an organized service.
38. 38. “Well-baby bassinet” means a receptacle used for holding a neonate who does not require treatment and whose anticipated discharge is within 96 hours after birth.

In addition to the definitions in A.R.S. § 36-401 and R9-10-101, the following definitions apply in this Article unless otherwise specified:

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 2785, effective October 1, 2002 (Supp. 02-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 11 A.A.R. 536, effective March 5, 2005 (Supp. 05-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 4646, effective December 2, 2008 (Supp. 08-4). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 2015, effective October 1, 2013 (Supp. 13-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 20 A.A.R. 1409, pursuant to Laws 2013, Ch. 10, § 13; effective July 1, 2014 (Supp. 14-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 25 A.A.R. 1583, effective October 1, 2019 (Supp. 19-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 2797, with an effective date of January 1, 2021 (Supp. 20-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 2457 (July 25, 2025), effective August 30, 2025 (Supp. 25-3).