90-590 C.M.R. ch. 270, § 1 - Definitions

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

A. Clostridium difficile. In addition to its other definitions established in medical literature, the term "Clostridium difficile" shall mean a spore-forming, gram-positive anaerobic bacillus that is one of the causes of infection of the large bowel. Clostridium difficile associated infection ranges from mild antibiotic associated diarrhea to severe life-threatening inflammation of the colon.

B. Central line catheter-associated blood stream infection. A serious infection that enters the bloodstream due to a special type of catheter used to access a major vein close to the heart. For reporting purposes, hospitals are bound by or subject to the definition of "central line catheter-associated blood stream infection" as specified in the current version of the CDCNHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.

C. CMS."CMS" means the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

D. Executive Director."Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the MHDO or his/her successors.

E. External validation."External validation" means an audit process by an external agency to assure the accuracy and quality of healthcare associated infection data submitted to the NHSN and that the data meets the NHSN's pre-determined specifications.

F. Health care facility."Health care facility" means any hospital, mental health facility, State institution, ambulatory surgical facility, nursing home, residential care facility, rest home, sanatorium, convalescent home, federally qualified health center, or rural health clinic, as defined by 22 M.R.S.A. Chapter 1683 §8702(4), renal dialysis facility as defined by 22 M.R.S.A. Chapter 412 §2041(8), or intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual disabilities as defined by 22 M.R.S.A. Chapter 405 §1812- K.

G. Hospital. "Hospital" has the same meaning as in 22 M.R.S.A. §328(14). 'Hospital' includes but is not limited to, acute care hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, and rehabilitation hospitals.

H. IHI."IHI" means the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

I. Measure Steward. The identified responsible entity having a process to maintain and update the measure on a schedule that is commensurate with the rate of clinical innovation.

J. ME CDC."ME CDC" means the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

K. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus(MRSA)."Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus" are bacteria that can cause infections and are resistant to one or more classes of antibiotics.

L. MHDO."MHDO" means the Maine Health Data Organization or its designee.

M. MQF."MQF" means the Maine Quality Forum as defined in Title 24-A, Chapter 87, §6951.

N. M.R.S.A."M.R.S.A." means Maine Revised Statutes Annotated.

O. National Healthcare Safety Network."National Healthcare Safety Network" (NHSN) means the US CDC's se cure internet-based data collection system managed by the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion.

P. NQF."NQF" means the National Quality Forum.

Q. Nursing Facility."Nursing Facility" means a facility as defined in 22 MRS §1812-A.

R. Surgical Site Infection (SSI).An infection occurring after surgery in the same part of the patient's body where the surgery was performed. For reporting purposes, hospitals are bound by or subject to the definition of "surgical site infection" as specified by the current version of the CDC NHSN Patient Safety Component Manual.

S. US CDC."US CDC" means the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Notes

90-590 C.M.R. ch. 270, § 1