2021 Wyoming Statutes
Title 35 - Public Health and Safety
Chapter 1 - Administration
Article 12 - Palliative Care Advisory Council
Section 35-1-1201 - Definitions.
35-1-1201. Definitions.
(a) As used in this article:
(i) "Council" means the advisory council on palliative care established pursuant to this article;
(ii) "Department" means the department of health, unless the governor establishes the council within a different office or department pursuant to W.S. 35-1-1202, in which case department means the office or department within which the governor establishes the council;
(iii) "Palliative care" means:
(A) Patient and family centered medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by serious illness. Palliative care throughout the continuum of illness involves addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of the patient and facilitates patient autonomy, access to information and choice. Palliative care includes, but is not limited to, discussion of the patient's goals for treatment and discussion of appropriate treatment options including hospice care and comprehensive pain and symptom management when appropriate; and
(B) Care for a terminal, potentially terminal or serious chronic illness that is designed to reduce adverse symptoms, reduce pain and suffering and improve quality of life without, by itself, seeking to cure the illness, prevent death or prolong life. Palliative care includes hospice care. Palliative care does not include treatment or procedures that are meant to hasten death.