2020 Arkansas Code
Title 20 - Public Health and Welfare
Subtitle 2 - Health and Safety
Chapter 6 - General Provisions
Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act
§ 20-6-303. Definitions

As used in this subchapter:

1. (1)

   1. (A) “Healthcare facility” means an institution, building, agency, or a portion of an institution, building, or agency that is used, operated, or designed to provide healthcare services, medical treatment, nursing care, rehabilitative care, or preventative care to an individual, regardless of whether the institution, building, or agency is a private organization, a public organization, a nonprofit organization, or a for-profit organization.

   2. (B) “Healthcare facility” includes without limitation:

      1. (i) An ambulatory surgical facility;

      2. (ii) A home health agency;

      3. (iii) A hospice;

      4. (iv) A hospital;

      5. (v) An infirmary;

      6. (vi) A long-term care facility;

      7. (vii) An assisted living facility;

      8. (viii) A mental health center;

      9. (ix) An outpatient facility;

      10. (x) A rehabilitation facility; and

      11. (xi) A residential treatment facility;

2. (2) “Healthcare provider” means an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by the laws of this state to administer health care in the ordinary course of business or in the practice of a profession, including without limitation:

   1. (A) An emergency medical care provider; and

   2. (B) An individual providing home and community-based services;

3. (3) “Legal representative” means the same as a person authorized to consent on the principal's behalf under § 20-6-102;

4. (4) “Patient” means an individual who has a critical medical condition or a terminal illness and for whom a physician has determined that a physician order for life-sustaining treatment is consistent with the individual's goals of care;

5. (5) “Physician” means an individual who is licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in this state; and

6. (6) “Physician order for life-sustaining treatment” means a document containing orders by a physician regarding life-sustaining treatment and medical interventions in accordance with the wishes of a patient, or if the wishes of the patient are not reasonably known and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained, in accordance with the best interest of the patient.