§ 1140. Definitions

As used in this subchapter:

(1) "Bloodborne pathogen" means a pathogenic microorganism that is present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. Such pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

(2) "Emergency personnel" shall have the same meaning as in 20 V.S.A. § 3171, but shall also include members of a ski patrol trained through the National Ski Patrol or substantially similar program.

(3) "Employer" means the organization on whose behalf a worker is employed or volunteering when rendering health services to a source patient pursuant to this subchapter.

(4) "Health care provider" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 9432(9) of this title.

(5) "Health care worker" means any individual or employee of a health care provider who provides medical or other health services in the course of the worker's employment.

(6) "Health services" means activities and functions that are directly related to care, treatment, or diagnosis of a patient, including emergency medical treatment.

(7) "Manner sufficient to transmit" means consistent with current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in Vermont.

(8) "Public safety personnel" means an individual employed or volunteering for a fire department, police department, or ambulance service.

(9) "Source patient" means an individual who, in the course of receiving health services, may have exposed a health care worker, public safety personnel, or emergency personnel to blood or bodily fluids in a manner sufficient to transmit a bloodborne disease.

(10) "Worker" means emergency personnel, health care worker, or public safety personnel. (Added 2007, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)