The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter,
shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
(1) Administrative death review--An administrative/quality
assurance review activity to identify non-clinically related problems
requiring correction and opportunities to improve the quality of care.
(2) Attending physician--A physician licensed to practice
medicine in the State of Texas who is responsible for the general
medical care and/or psychiatric care of the individual served.
(3) Chief executive officer or CEO--The executive director
of a community center.
(4) Clinical death review--A clinical quality assurance/peer
review activity conducted to identify clinically related problems
requiring correction and opportunities to improve the quality of care
pursuant to the statutes that authorize peer review activities in
the State of Texas.
(5) Community center--A community mental health center
organized pursuant to the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 7, Chapter
534, §534.053 (formerly the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation
Act, §3, as amended, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 5547-201 et
seq.).
(6) Contract provider--An entity which, through written
agreement or contract, is providing services to an individual served
by a community center, including entities regulated by other governmental
agencies.
(7) Deceased--An individual who, at death, is receiving
services directly operated or contracted for by a community center.
(8) HHSC--The Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
(9) Investigating officer--A physician or registered
nurse who is neither the attending physician nor anyone significantly
involved as the primary provider of treatment to the deceased immediately
preceding the death.
(10) Registered nurse--A nurse licensed by the Texas
Board of Nurse Examiners to practice professional nursing in the State
of Texas.
(11) Unusual circumstances--A death which occurs under
circumstances including, but not limited to, the following: unnatural
death; death by unlawful means or suspicion of death by unlawful means;
absence of witnesses; suicide or suspicion of suicide; or death within
24 hours of admission to the community center.
|