The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Emergency medical services provider." A health care provider recognized under the act of July 3, 1985 (P.L.164, No.45), known as the Emergency Medical Services Act. The term includes those individuals recognized under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external defibrillator).
"EMS." Emergency medical services.
"Health care provider." A person who is licensed, certified or otherwise authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth to administer or provide health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. The term includes personnel recognized under the act of July 3, 1985 (P.L.164, No.45), known as the Emergency Medical Services Act, and those individuals recognized under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external defibrillator).
"Out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate bracelet." A bracelet in the standard format set forth in section 5484 (relating to orders, bracelets and necklaces), supplied by the department and issued by the attending physician, which may be worn at the patient's option to notify emergency medical services providers of the presence of an order.
"Out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate necklace." A necklace in the standard format set forth in section 5484 (relating to orders, bracelets and necklaces), supplied by the department and issued by the attending physician, which may be worn at the patient's option to notify emergency medical services providers of the presence of an order.
"Out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate order." An order in the standard format set forth in section 5484 (relating to orders, bracelets and necklaces), supplied by the department and issued by the attending physician, directing emergency medical services providers to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation from the patient in the event of respiratory or cardiac arrest.
"Out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate patient." An individual who:
(1) Has an end-stage medical condition or is permanently unconscious.
(2) Pursuant to section 5484(a) (relating to orders, bracelets and necklaces), possesses and in any manner displays or causes to be displayed for emergency medical services providers an apparently valid order, bracelet or necklace.
"Surrogate." A health care agent or a health care representative.
References in Text. The act of July 3, 1985 (P.L.164, No.45), known as the Emergency Medical Services Act, referred to in the defs. of "emergency medical services provider" and "health care provider," was repealed by the act of August 18, 2009 (P.L.308, No.37). The subject matter is now contained in Chapter 81 of Title 35 (Health and Safety).
Cross References. Section 5483 is referred to in section 5422 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES
Section 5423 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 5425 - Conflicting advance health care directives
Section 5426 - Death not suicide or homicide
Section 5428 - Health care instruments optional
Section 5430 - Effect of divorce
Section 5432 - Criminal penalties
Section 5441 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5443 - When living will operative
Section 5445 - Emergency medical services
Section 5451 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5453 - Requirements and options
Section 5454 - When health care power of attorney operative
Section 5455 - Appointment of health care agents
Section 5456 - Authority of health care agent
Section 5460 - Relation of health care agent to court-appointed guardian and other agents
Section 5461 - Decisions by health care representative
Section 5462 - Duties of attending physician and health care provider
Section 5463 - Effect on other State law
Section 5481 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5482 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 5484 - Orders, bracelets and necklaces
Section 5486 - Absence of order, bracelet or necklace