Opinion No. (1997)

DANIEL E. LUNGREN Attorney General ANTHONY M. SUMMERS Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE TOM J. BORDONARO, JR., MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following question: May trained, unlicensed staff members of a community care facility perform incidental medical services with respect to a gastrostomy, colostomy, ileostomy, and the use of urinary catheters? CONCLUSION Trained, unlicensed staff members of a community care facility may perform incidental medical services with respect to a gastrostomy, colostomy, ileostomy, and the use of urinary catheters. ANALYSIS The Legislature has enacted a comprehensive statutory scheme, the Community Care Facilities Act (Health Saf. Code, §§ 1500 - 1567.8 ; "Act"), 1 to provide "a coordinated and comprehensive statewide service system of quality community care for mentally ill, developmentally and physically disabled, and children and adults. . . ." (§ 501, subd. (a).) A "community care facility" is defined as: ". . . any facility, place, or building that is maintained and operated to provide nonmedical residential care, day treatment, adult day care, or foster family agency services for children,…