Health Care Legislation

NURS 103—Week 1
PRACTICAL NURSING PROGRAM
Learning Outcome
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

 Explain key legislation related to health care in Canada

and Ontario including the Canada Health Act, 1984,
Regulated Health Professions Act 1991 (RHPA), and
its companion acts, with particular focus on the
Nursing Act, 1991.

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Health Care Legislation
 Legislation is law which has been enacted by the government.

 Legislation related to health care and nursing are designed to

protect the public health and interest.

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Health Care Legislation

Canada Health
Act (1984)

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Nursing Act Regulated Health
(1991) Professions Act
(1991)
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Canada Health Act (1984)
 The Canada Health Act received Royal Assent on
April 1984.
Canada Health
 Through this Act, the federal government ensures Act (1984)
that the provinces and territories meet certain
requirements, such as free and universal access to
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publicly insured health care.

 These requirements or “national principles,” have

helped shape provincial health care insurance plans
throughout the country.

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Canada Health Act (1984)
 Public administration.
 The health insurance plan of a province or territory must be administered on a non-
profit basis by a public authority.
 Comprehensiveness.
 All medically necessary services provided by hospitals and doctors must be insured.
 Universality.
 All eligible residents are entitled to public health insurance coverage on uniform
terms and conditions.
 Portability.
 Coverage for insured services must be maintained when an insured person moves or
travels within Canada or travels outside the country.
 Accessibility.
 Reasonable access by insured persons to medically necessary hospital and physician
services must not be impeded by financial or other barriers.

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Regulated Health Regulated Health
Professions Act (1991) Professions Act
(1991)

 The RHPA contains a procedural code 2

applicable to all of Ontario’s self-regulated
health professions.

 RNs and RPNs are authorized to perform 3

controlled acts.

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Regulated Health Professions Act
(1991)
 Control acts authorized to RNs and RPNs.

1. Performing a prescribed procedure below the dermis or a mucous

membrane.

2. Administering a substance by injection or inhalation.

3. Putting an instrument, hand or finger:

i. Beyond the external ear canal.
ii. Beyond the point in the nasal passages.
iii. Beyond the larynx.
iv. Beyond the opening of the urethra.
v. Beyond the labia majora.
vi. Beyond the anal verge.
vii. Into an artificial opening into the body.
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Nursing Act (1991)
 The Nursing Act (1991) and Regulated
Health Professions Act (1991) Nursing Act
determine how the nursing (1991)
profession is regulated in Ontario.
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 The Nursing Act establishes the mandate of
the College of Nurses of Ontario
and defines a scope of practice
for the nursing profession.

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Nursing Act (1991)
 Scope of practice statement.
 The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the
provision of care for and the treatment of health conditions by supportive,
preventive, therapeutic, palliative and rehabilitative means in order to
attain or maintain optimal function.
 Categories of registration.
 2 categories of nurses: RNs and RPNs are in General Class and Nurse Practitioners
(NPs) are in Extended Class.
 Entry to practice.
 Education, evidence of nursing practice, CPNRE, language proficiency, citizenship
or residency.
 Quality Assurance.
 Assists nurses to maintain competence and continually evaluate their practice.
 Controlled acts authorized to the nursing profession.
 3 controlled acts.

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Quick Check!
 Which of the following statement is true about an insured
resident in Canada?

a. He/she is entitled to health care services provided by the plan on certain

terms and conditions depending on where he/she is living.

b. He/she is able to access health care services in his/her province only,

without cost or penalty.

c. He/she has reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and

physician services, regardless of income, age, health status, gender or
geographical location.

d. He/she has to maintain only partial personal coverage when he/she moves
or travels within Canada or travels outside of Canada.

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References
 College of Nurses of Ontario. (CNO). (2011). Fact Sheet: Legislation and
Regulation: An introduction to the Nursing Act, 1991. Retrieved from
www.cno.org
 
 Minister of Justice Canada. (2013). Canada Health Act. Retrieved from
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

 Potter, P., Perry, A. G. (current edition). In Ross-Kerr, J., Wood, M., Astle, B.,
& Duggleby, W. (Eds), Canadian fundamentals for nursing . Toronto: Mosby.

 Service Ontario e-Laws. (2013). Nursing Act, 1991. Retrieved from

www.e-laws.gov.on.ca
 
 Service Ontario e-Laws. (2013). Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
Retrieved from www.e-laws.gov.on.ca

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THANK YOU.