District Of Columbia § 7-651.01 - Definitions.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 7-651.01 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 7-651.01. Definitions.
7-651.01For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
“Advanced airway management” means direct ventilation of the lungs through an endotracheal tube by mouth or stoma.
“Advanced life support” means advanced airway management, including endotracheal intubation; defibrillation; administration of cardiac resuscitation medications; and medical procedures related to the specific medical procedures set forth in this paragraph as determined by the person’s attending physician or as set forth in medical protocols.
“Artificial ventilation” means forcing oxygen in the lungs when a person has stopped breathing or has inadequate breathing.
“Attending physician” means a physician who has primary responsibility for the medical care of a person who executes a comfort care order in accordance with this chapter.
“Authorized decision-maker” means a person authorized to make a health care decision on behalf of another person in accordance with §§ and .
“Cardiac arrest” means the cessation of a functional heartbeat and pulse.
“Cardiopulmonary resuscitation” means cardiac compression or artificial ventilation.
“Comfort care order” or “Order” means a document, on a form approved by the Mayor and executed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, which authorizes emergency medical services personnel to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation from a person if the person experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest as the result of a specified medical or terminal condition and to administer comfort care in accordance with .
“District” means the District of Columbia.
“Emergency medical services” or “EMS” means medical services provided in response to a person’s need for immediate medical care, which are intended to prevent loss of life, the aggravation of a physiological illness or injury, or the aggravation of a psychological illness, including any services recognized in the District as first response, basic life support, advanced life support, specialized life support, patient transportation, medical control, or rescue.
“Emergency medical services agency” or “EMS agency” means any person, firm, corporation, or organization authorized by District law to provide emergency medical care or medical transport to a person who is ill, injured, or incapacitated by disease or a medical condition.
“Emergency medical services personnel” or “EMS personnel” means a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in the District, a registered nurse who is licensed to practice professional nursing in the District, or an emergency medical technician/basic (“EMT/B”), emergency medical technician/paramedic (“EMT/P”), or emergency medical technician/intermediate paramedic (“EMT/IP”) who is certified to provide emergency medical services in the District.
“Minor” means a person who is less than 18 years of age.
“Patient” means a person who has executed a comfort care order in accordance with this chapter.
“Respiratory arrest” means the cessation of functional breathing.
“Resuscitate” means the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation or advanced life support, as appropriate.
“Surrogate” means the natural parent, adoptive parent, or legal guardian of a minor who executes a comfort care order on behalf of the minor.
“Terminal condition” means an incurable medical condition caused by an injury, illness, or disease, which, regardless of the application of life-sustaining procedures, would, within reasonable medical judgment, produce death, and where the application of life-sustaining procedures serve only to postpone the moment of death of the person who has the incurable medical condition.
Annotations
Applicability of : Section 4 of provided (a) that the act shall apply upon the date of inclusion of its fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan; (b) that the Chief Financial Officer shall certify the date of the inclusion of the fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan, and provide notice to the Budget Director of the Council of the certification; and (c) that the Budget Director shall cause the notice of the certification to be published in the District of Columbia Register and that the date of publication of the notice of the certification shall not affect the applicability of the act.
Section 3 of , effective Feb. 27, 2016, provided that this chapter is repealed as of the date that the Department of Health develops, and makes available, the MOST Form in accordance with . Section 2 of enacted ( et seq.).
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 7-651.01
What does D.C. Code § 7-651.01 cover?
Section 7-651.01 ("Definitions.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 7-651.01?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 7-651.01" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 7-651.01 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.