The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Department" means the department of health. (2) "Elopement" means any situation in which an admitted patient of a private establishment who is cognitively, physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or chemically impaired wanders, walks, runs away, escapes, or otherwise leaves a private establishment or the grounds of a private establishment prior to the patient's scheduled discharge unsupervised, unnoticed, and without the staff's knowledge. (3) "Private establishment," "establishment," and "institution" mean: (a) Every private or county or municipal hospital, including public hospital districts, homes, behavioral health hospitals, residential treatment facilities, or other places receiving or caring for any person with a behavioral health or substance use disorder; and (b) Beginning January 1, 2019, facilities providing pediatric transitional care services. (4) "Immediate jeopardy" means a situation in which the private establishment's noncompliance with one or more statutory or regulatory requirements has placed the health and safety of patients in its care at risk for serious injury, serious harm, serious impairment, or death. (5) "Pediatric transitional care services" means short-term, temporary, health and comfort services for drug exposed infants according to the requirements of this chapter and provided in an establishment licensed by the department. (6) "Behavioral health hospital" means an establishment caring for any person with mental illness or substance use disorder excluding acute care hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW, state psychiatric hospitals established under chapter 72.23 RCW, and residential treatment facilities as defined in this section. (7) "Residential treatment facility" means an establishment in which 24-hour on-site care is provided for the evaluation, stabilization, or treatment of residents for substance use, mental health, co-occurring disorders, or for drug exposed infants. (8) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health. (9) "Technical assistance" means the provision of information on the state laws and rules applicable to the regulation of private establishments, the process to apply for a license, and methods and resources to avoid or address compliance problems. Technical assistance does not include assistance provided under chapter 43.05 RCW. (10) "Trained caregiver" means a noncredentialed, unlicensed person trained by the establishment providing pediatric transitional care services to provide hands-on care to drug exposed infants. Caregivers may not provide medical care to infants and may only work under the supervision of an appropriate health care professional. [ 2024 c 121 s 19. Prior: 2020 c 115 s 6; prior: 2017 c 263 s 2; 2001 c 254 s 1; 2000 c 93 s 21; 1977 ex.s. c 80 s 43; 1959 c 25 s 71.12.455; prior: 1949 c 198 s 53; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 6953-52a. Formerly RCW 71.12.010, part.]
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