WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

71.32.020 - Definitions.

Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Adult" means any individual who has attained the age of majority or is an emancipated minor.

     (2) "Agent" has the same meaning as an attorney-in-fact or agent as provided in chapter 11.94 RCW.

     (3) "Capacity" means that an adult has not been found to be incapacitated pursuant to this chapter or RCW 11.88.010(1)(e).

     (4) "Court" means a superior court under chapter 2.08 RCW.

     (5) "Health care facility" means a hospital, as defined in RCW 70.41.020; an institution, as defined in RCW 71.12.455; a state hospital, as defined in RCW 72.23.010; a nursing home, as defined in RCW 18.51.010; or a clinic that is part of a community mental health service delivery system, as defined in RCW 71.24.025.

     (6) "Health care provider" means an osteopathic physician or osteopathic physician's assistant licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.57A RCW, a physician or physician's assistant licensed under chapter 18.71 or 18.71A RCW, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed under RCW 18.79.050.

     (7) "Incapacitated" means an adult who: (a) Is unable to understand the nature, character, and anticipated results of proposed treatment or alternatives; understand the recognized serious possible risks, complications, and anticipated benefits in treatments and alternatives, including nontreatment; or communicate his or her understanding or treatment decisions; or (b) has been found to be incompetent pursuant to RCW 11.88.010(1)(e).

     (8) "Informed consent" means consent that is given after the person: (a) Is provided with a description of the nature, character, and anticipated results of proposed treatments and alternatives, and the recognized serious possible risks, complications, and anticipated benefits in the treatments and alternatives, including nontreatment, in language that the person can reasonably be expected to understand; or (b) elects not to be given the information included in (a) of this subsection.

     (9) "Long-term care facility" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 43.190.020.

     (10) "Mental disorder" means any organic, mental, or emotional impairment which has substantial adverse effects on an individual's cognitive or volitional functions.

     (11) "Mental health advance directive" or "directive" means a written document in which the principal makes a declaration of instructions or preferences or appoints an agent to make decisions on behalf of the principal regarding the principal's mental health treatment, or both, and that is consistent with the provisions of this chapter.

     (12) "Mental health professional" means a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or social worker, and such other mental health professionals as may be defined by rules adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of chapter 71.05 RCW.

     (13) "Principal" means an adult who has executed a mental health advance directive.

     (14) "Professional person" means a mental health professional and shall also mean a physician, registered nurse, and such others as may be defined by rules adopted by the secretary pursuant to the provisions of chapter 71.05 RCW.