SECTION 405.263. Definitions

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.

Source Note: The provisions of this §405.263 adopted to be effective June 1, 1993, 18 TexReg 2133; amended to be effective May 26, 2022, 47 TexReg 3056