The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 18.71.310 through 18.71.340 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Entity" means a nonprofit corporation formed by physicians who have expertise in the areas of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, other drug addictions, and mental illness and who broadly represent the physicians of the state and that has been designated to perform any or all of the activities set forth in RCW 18.71.310(1) by the commission.

(2) "Impaired" or "impairment" means the inability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of physical or mental illness including alcohol abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, other drug addictions, or other debilitating conditions.

(3) "Impaired physician program" means the program for the prevention, detection, intervention, monitoring, and treatment of impaired physicians established by the commission pursuant to RCW 18.71.310(1).

(4) "Physician" or "practitioner" means a person licensed under this chapter, chapter 18.71A RCW, or a professional licensed under another chapter of Title 18 RCW whose disciplining authority has a contract with the entity for an impaired practitioner program for its license holders.

(5) "Treatment program" means a plan of care and rehabilitation services provided by those organizations or persons authorized to provide such services to be approved by the commission or entity for impaired physicians taking part in the impaired physician program created by RCW 18.71.310.

Finding—Intent—Severability—1998 c 132: See notes following RCW 18.71.0195.

Severability—Headings and captions not law—Effective date—1994 sp.s. c 9: See RCW 18.79.900 through 18.79.902.

Effective date—1987 c 416: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1987." [ 1987 c 416 § 10.]