Colorado Code § 13-20-401

Definitions
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As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Electroconvulsive treatment" means electroshock therapy, shock treatment, shock
therapy, ECT, or EST and is the passage of electrical current through a patient's head in a voltage
sufficient to induce a seizure.
(2) "Patient" means the person upon whom a proposed electroconvulsive treatment is to
be performed; except that nothing in this part 4 supersedes the provisions of article 65 of title 27
or any rule adopted by the behavioral health administration in the department of human services
pursuant to section 27-65-118 (2) with regard to the care and treatment of any person unable to
exercise written informed consent or of a person with a mental health disorder.
(3) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy.
(4) "Sufficient information relating to the proposed electroconvulsive treatment" means
information provided to the patient including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) The reason for such treatment;
(b) The nature of the procedures to be used in such treatment, including its probable
frequency and duration;
(c) The probable degree and duration of improvement or remission expected with or
without such treatment;
(d) The nature, degree, duration, and probability of the side effects and significant risks
of such treatment commonly known by the medical profession, especially noting the possible
degree and duration of memory loss, the possibility of permanent irrevocable memory loss, and
the remote possibility of death;
(e) The reasonable alternative treatments and why the physician is recommending
electroconvulsive treatment;
(f) That the patient has the right to refuse or accept the proposed treatment and has the
right to revoke his consent for any reason at any time, either orally or in writing;
(g) That there is a difference of opinion within the medical profession on the use of
electroconvulsive treatment.
(5) "Written informed consent" means consent to the proposed electroconvulsive
treatment which a person knowingly and intelligently, without duress of any sort, clearly and
explicitly manifests to the treating physician in writing and which is otherwise given in
compliance with the provisions of this part 4.

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