1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Advance directive” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §5-601(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   2. (2) “Assisted living program” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.07.14.02.
   3. (3) “Authorized decision maker” means the health care agent, guardian of the person, or surrogate decision maker who is making health care decisions on behalf of a patient in accordance with the Health Care Decisions Act, Health-General Article, §§5-601—5-618, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   4. (4) “EMS DNR order” means an emergency medical services do not resuscitate order as defined in Health-General Article, §5-601(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   5. (5) “Guardian of the person” means a person appointed by a court to be a guardian of the person of a disabled individual in accordance with Estates and Trusts Article, §13-705, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   6. (6) “Health care” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §4-301(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   7. (7) “Health care agent” means an agent as defined in Health-General Article, §5-601(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   8. (8) “Health Care Decisions Act” means Health-General Article, §§5-601—5-618, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   9. (9) “Health care facility” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §5-608.1(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   10. (10) “Health care provider” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §5-601(l), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   11. (11) “Home health agency” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.07.10.02.
   12. (12) “Hospice” means a hospice care program as defined in COMAR 10.07.21.02.
   13. (13) “Hospital” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §19-301(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   14. (14) “Kidney dialysis center” has the meaning stated in COMAR 10.05.04.01
   15. (15) “Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form” means the form required to be developed pursuant to Health-General Article, §5-608.1, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   16. (16) “Medical record” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §4-301(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   17. (17) “Minor” means an individual younger than 18 years old who is not married, not the parent of a child, and not otherwise authorized by law to consent to medical treatment.
   18. (18) “Nurse practitioner” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §5-601(p), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   19. (19) “Nursing home” means a comprehensive care facility or extended care facility as defined in COMAR 10.07.02.01.

   20. (20) Patient.

       1. (a) Except as provided in §(20)(b), “patient” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §4-301(k), Annotated Code of Maryland.

       2. (b) “Patient” does not include someone:

          1. (i) Whose primary diagnosis for the current treatment is a psychiatric disorder, except for dementia, delirium, or mental disorders due to a medical condition;
          2. (ii) Whose primary diagnosis is related to a current pregnancy; or
          3. (iii) Who is younger than 18 years old and who is unlikely to require a life-sustaining treatment.
   21. (21) “Physician” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §5-601(r), Annotated Code of Maryland.
   22. (22) “Physician assistant” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §5-601(s), Annotated Code of Maryland
   23. (23) “Practitioner” means a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

   24. (24) “Substantial change in health status” means a change in a patient’s health or functional status that:

       1. (a) Demonstrates an improvement or decline in the patient’s status that requires the need for interdisciplinary review or revision of the patient’s health care; and
       2. (b) Is not a temporary change that is self-limited.
   25. (25) “Surrogate” means an individual who makes health care decisions for a patient pursuant to Health-General Article, §5-605, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§2-104, 5-608, 5-608.1, and 5-609, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: January 1, 2013 (39:25 Md. R. 1612)

Regulation .02B amended effective February 17, 2014 (41:3 Md. R. 201)

Regulation .03 amended effective February 17, 2014 (41:3 Md. R. 201)

Regulation .04E amended effective February 17, 2014 (41:3 Md. R. 201)