Section 246-840-465. Definitions.

The definitions in this section apply in WAC 246-840-460 through 246-840-493 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Acute pain" means the normal, predicted physiological response to a noxious chemical, thermal, or mechanical stimulus and typically is associated with invasive procedures, trauma, and disease. It is generally time-limited, often less than three months in duration, and usually less than six months.

(2) "Addiction" means a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include:

(a) Impaired control over drug use;

(b) Craving;

(c) Compulsive use; or

(d) Continued use despite harm.

(3) "Chronic noncancer pain" means a state in which noncancer pain persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or healing of an injury, or that may or may not be associated with an acute or chronic pathologic process that causes continuous or intermittent pain over months or years.

(4) "Comorbidity" means a pre-existing or coexisting physical or psychiatric disease or condition.

(5) "Episodic care" means medical care provided by a provider other than the designated primary provider in the acute care setting, for example, urgent care or emergency department.

(6) "Hospice" means a model of care that focuses on relieving symptoms and supporting patients with a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice involves an interdisciplinary approach to provide health care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support. The emphasis is on comfort, quality of life and patient and family support. Hospice can be provided in the patient's home as well as freestanding hospice facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, or other long-term care facilities.

(7) "Morphine equivalent dose" means a conversion of various opioids to a morphine equivalent dose by the use of accepted conversion tables.

(8) "Multidisciplinary pain clinic" means a clinic or office that provides comprehensive pain management and may include care provided by multiple available disciplines, for example, physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other complementary therapies.

(9) "Palliative" means care that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness. With palliative care particular attention is given to the prevention, assessment, and treatment of pain and other symptoms, and to the provision of psychological, spiritual, and emotional support.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.400. WSR 11-10-064, § 246-840-465, filed 5/2/11, effective 7/1/11.]

RCW 18.79.400. WSR 11-10-064, § 246-840-465, filed 5/2/11, effective 7/1/11.

Rules

246-840-460,246-840-493,