Section 246-978-010. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Act" means the "Washington Death with Dignity Act" or Initiative Measure No. 1000 as adopted by the voters on November 4, 2008, codified as chapter 70.245 RCW.

(2) "Adult" means an individual who is eighteen years of age or older.

(3) "Attending physician" means the physician, as defined in chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW, who has primary responsibility for the care of the patient and treatment of the patient's terminal disease.

(4) "Competent" means that, in the opinion of a court or in the opinion of the patient's attending physician or consulting physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist, a patient has the ability to make and communicate an informed decision to health care providers, including communication through persons familiar with the patient's manner of communicating, if those persons are available.

(5) "Consulting physician" means a physician who is qualified by specialty or experience to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis regarding the patient's disease.

(6) "Counseling" means one or more consultations as necessary between a state licensed psychiatrist or psychologist and a patient for the purpose of determining that the patient is competent and not suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder or depression causing impaired judgment.

(7) "Department" means the department of health.

(8) "Dispensing record" means a copy of the Pharmacy Dispensing Record form, DOH 422-067.

(9) "Health care provider" means a person licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by the law to administer health care or dispense medication in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession and includes a health care facility.

(10) "Informed decision" means a decision by a qualified patient, to request and obtain a prescription for medication that the qualified patient may self-administer to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner, that is based on an appreciation of the relevant facts and after being fully informed by the attending physician of:

(a) His or her medical diagnosis;

(b) His or her prognosis;

(c) The potential risks associated with taking the medication to be prescribed;

(d) The probable result of taking the medication to be prescribed; and

(e) The feasible alternatives including, but not limited to, comfort care, hospice care, and pain control.

(11) "Long-term care facility" means a facility licensed under chapter 18.51 or 72.36 RCW.

(12) "Medically confirmed" means the medical opinion of the attending physician has been confirmed by a consulting physician who has examined the patient and the patient's relevant medical records.

(13) "Patient" means a person who is under the care of a physician.

(14) "Physician" means a doctor of medicine, as defined in chapter 18.71 RCW, or osteopathy, as defined in chapter 18.57 RCW, licensed to practice medicine in the state of Washington.

(15) "Qualified patient" means a competent adult who is a resident of Washington state and has satisfied the requirements of the act in order to obtain a prescription for medication that the qualified patient may self-administer to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner.

(16) "Self-administer" means a qualified patient's act of ingesting medication to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner.

(17) "Terminal disease" means an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death within six months.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.245 RCW. WSR 09-06-010, § 246-978-010, filed 2/20/09, effective 3/5/09.]

Chapter 70.245 RCW. WSR 09-06-010, § 246-978-010, filed 2/20/09, effective 3/5/09.