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.
[2003 c 283 § 2.]