2010 Idaho Code
TITLE 39 HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 45 THE MEDICAL CONSENT AND NATURAL DEATH ACT
39-4502 DEFINITIONS.

TITLE 39

HEALTH AND SAFETY

CHAPTER 45

THE MEDICAL CONSENT AND NATURAL DEATH ACT

39-4502. Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1) "Artificial life-sustaining procedure" means any medical procedure or intervention that utilizes mechanical means to sustain or supplant a vital function which, when applied to a qualified patient, would serve only to artificially prolong life. "Artificial life-sustaining procedure" does not include the administration of pain management medication or the performance of any medical procedure deemed necessary to provide comfort care or to alleviate pain.

(2) "Artificial nutrition and hydration" means supplying food and water through a conduit, such as a tube or intravenous line, where the recipient is not required to chew or swallow voluntarily, but does not include assisted feeding, such as spoon feeding or bottle feeding.

(3) "Attending physician" means the physician licensed by the state board of medicine who is selected by, or assigned to, the patient and who has primary responsibility for the treatment and care of the patient.

(4) "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" or "CPR" means measures to restore cardiac function and/or to support ventilation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

(5) "Comfort care" means treatment and care to provide comfort and cleanliness. "Comfort care" includes:

(a) Oral and body hygiene;

(b) Reasonable efforts to offer food and fluids orally;

(c) Medication, positioning, warmth, appropriate lighting and other measures to relieve pain and suffering; and

(d) Privacy and respect for the dignity and humanity of the patient.

(6) "Consent to care" includes refusal to consent to care and/or withdrawal of care.

(7) "Directive" or "health care directive" means a document meeting the requirements of section 39-4510(1), Idaho Code, and/or a "Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST)" form signed by a physician.

(8) "Emergency medical services personnel" means personnel engaged in providing initial emergency medical assistance including, but not limited to, first responders, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

(9) "Health care provider" or "provider" means any person or entity licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession, including emergency or other medical services personnel.

(10) "Persistent vegetative state" means an irreversible state that has been medically confirmed by a neurological specialist who is an expert in the examination of nonresponsive individuals in which the person has intact brain stem function but no higher cortical function and no awareness of self or environment.

(11) "Physician" means a person who holds a current active license to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in Idaho and is in good standing with no restriction upon or actions taken against his or her license.

(12) "Physician orders for scope of treatment (POST) form" means a standardized form containing orders by a physician that states a person’s treatment wishes.

(13) "Physician orders for scope of treatment (POST) identification device" means standardized jewelry which can be worn around the wrist, neck or ankle, and which has been approved by the department of health and welfare.

(14) "Terminal condition" means an incurable or irreversible condition which, without the administration of life-sustaining procedures, will, in the opinion of a physician, result in death if it runs its usual course.