Pennsylvania Statutes Title 20 Pa.C.S.A. Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries § 5483. Definitions

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.  1 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.