In this chapter, unless the context and subject matter otherwise require:

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 23-17.3-01

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Organization: includes a foreign or domestic association, business trust, corporation, enterprise, estate, joint venture, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, partnership, trust, or any legal or commercial entity. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • written: include "typewriting" and "typewritten" and "printing" and "printed" except in the case of signatures and when the words are used by way of contrast to typewriting and printing. See North Dakota Code 1-01-37

1.    “Allowed practitioner” means a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse.

2.    “Clinical record” means a written account which covers the services the agency provides directly and those provided through arrangements with another agency which account contains pertinent past and current medical, nursing, social, and other therapeutic information, including the plan of treatment.

3.    “Department” means the department of health and human services.

4.    “Home health agency” means a public or private agency, organization, facility, or subdivision thereof which is engaged in providing home health services to individuals and families where they are presently residing for the purpose of preventing disease and promoting, maintaining, or restoring health or minimizing the effects of illness or disability.

5.    “Home health aide” means an individual who renders personal related service under the supervision of a registered professional nurse.

6.    “Home health services” means a broad range of health and social services furnished to individuals and families by a home health agency or by others under arrangements with the agency, in the places where the recipients are presently residing. Services must include the services of a currently licensed registered professional nurse and at least one other therapeutic service and may include additional support services. These services may only be provided with the approval of a licensed physician or an allowed practitioner.

7.    “Licensed practical nurse” means one who has met all legal requirements for licensure and holds a current license to practice in North Dakota pursuant to chapter 43-12.1.

8.    “Nursing services” means those services pertaining to the preventive, curative, and restorative aspects of nursing care that are performed by or under the supervision of a registered professional nurse.

9.    “Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, limited liability company, or any other entity, whether organized for profit or not.

10.    “Physician” means any person currently licensed pursuant to chapter 43-17.

11.    “Registered professional nurse” means a registered nurse as defined under chapter 43-12.1.

12.    “Skilled nursing” means professional nursing services rendered by nurses licensed under chapter 43-12.1.

13.    “Supportive services” includes the use of medical appliances; medical supplies, other than drugs and biologicals prescribed by a physician; the collection of blood and other samples for laboratory analysis; and nutritional guidance, homemaker, or companion services.

14.    “Therapeutic services” means services which include:

a.    Skilled nursing care.

b.    Medical social services.

c.    Home health aide services.

d.    Physical, occupational, or speech therapy. e.    Respiratory therapy.