1. A. “Direct care” means health care providers authorized or permitted to offer health care services directly to a patient without another employee’s assistance or presence.
2. B. “Department” means the department of health.
3. C. “For cause” means upon reasonable suspicion of impairment as set forth in 1.7.8 NMAC.
4. D. “Health care provider” means any health care staff member who is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to provide direct, unsupervised health care to a patient.
5. E. “Illegal or prescription drug” means a substance listed in any of Schedules I through V of the Controlled Substances Act.
6. F. “State health care facility” means a hospital, an entity providing services for the developmentally disabled, a shelter care home, a free-standing hospice or a home health agency operated by the department.

[7.25.2.7 NMAC - N, 10/15/2012]