KRS 211.295: Definitions for KRS 211.295 to 211.297.

As used in KRS 211.295 to 211.297:

(1) "Cabinet" means the Cabinet for Health and Family Services;

(2) "Council" means the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council established

under KRS 211.296;

(3) "Health facility" has the same meaning as in KRS 216B.015;

(4) "Medical care" means services provided, requested, or supervised by a physician

licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 311 or advanced practice registered nurse

licensed pursuant to KRS Chapter 314;

(5) "Palliative care" means patient - and family-centered medical care that anticipates,

prevents, and treats suffering caused by serious illness and involves addressing the

physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of a patient and facilitating patient

autonomy, access to information, and choice . Causing or hastening death shall not

be deemed a method for anticipating, preventing, or treating suffering as described

in this subsection; and

(6) "Serious illness" means any medical illness, physical injury, or condition that causes

substantial suffering for more than a short period of time, including but not limited

to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, lung disease, cancer, or heart, renal,

or liver failure.