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Tex. Health & Safety Code § 81.301

DEFINITIONS

Known as the Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Act

The act spans §§ 81–81 (155 sections).

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1411, Sec. 26.01, eff

In this subchapter:

(1) "Bloodborne pathogens" means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and that can cause diseases in humans. The term includes hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus.

(2) "Engineered sharps injury protection" means:

(A) a physical attribute that is built into a needle device used for withdrawing body fluids, accessing a vein or artery, or administering medications or other fluids and that effectively reduces the risk of an exposure incident by a mechanism such as barrier creation, blunting, encapsulation, withdrawal, retraction, destruction, or another effective mechanism; or

(B) a physical attribute built into any other type of needle device, into a nonneedle sharp, or into a nonneedle infusion safety securement device that effectively reduces the risk of an exposure incident.

(3) "Governmental unit" means:

(A) this state and any agency of the state, including a department, bureau, board, commission, or office;

(B) a political subdivision of this state, including any municipality, county, or special district; and

(C) any other institution of government, including an institution of higher education.

(4) "Needleless system" means a device that does not use a needle and that is used:

(A) to withdraw body fluids after initial venous or arterial access is established;

(B) to administer medication or fluids; or

(C) for any other procedure involving the potential for an exposure incident.

(5) "Sharp" means an object used or encountered in a health care setting that can be reasonably anticipated to penetrate the skin or any other part of the body and to result in an exposure incident, including a needle device, a scalpel, a lancet, a piece of broken glass, a broken capillary tube, an exposed end of a dental wire, or a dental knife, drill, or bur.

(6) "Sharps injury" means any injury caused by a sharp, including a cut, abrasion, or needlestick.

Official source: Texas Constitution and Statutes. Reproduced from public-domain Texas statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.