Glossary

Sheriffs of counties, constables, marshals and policemen of cities and towns.

A severe mental disorder that meets all the following criteria:

1. If not treated has a substantial probability of causing the person to suffer or continue to suffer severe and abnormal mental, emotional or physical harm that significantly impairs judgment, reason, behavior or capacity to recognize reality.
2. Substantially impairs the capacity of the person to make an informed decision regarding treatment, and this impairment causes the person to be incapable of understanding and expressing an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of accepting treatment and understanding and expressing an understanding of the alternatives to the particular treatment offered after the advantages, disadvantages and alternatives are explained to that person.
3. Has a reasonable prospect of being treatable by outpatient, inpatient or combined inpatient and outpatient treatment.

The review of each application requesting court-ordered evaluation, including an investigation of facts alleged in such application, an interview with each applicant and an interview, if possible, with the proposed patient. The purpose of the interview with the proposed patient is to assess the problem, explain the application and, when indicated, attempt to persuade the proposed patient to receive, on a voluntary basis, evaluation or other services.

A form established by a court or the rules of the administration in accordance with the laws of this state.

A physician who is licensed pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 32, Chapter 13 or 17, a psychologist who is licensed pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 32, Chapter 19.1 or a psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner who is certified pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 32, Chapter 15.

A person for whom an application for evaluation has been made or a petition for court-ordered evaluation has been filed.

The county attorney, attorney general or city attorney who applied or petitioned for an evaluation or treatment.

A registered nurse practitioner as defined in Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 32-1601 who has completed an adult or family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner program and who is certified as an adult or family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner by the state board of nursing.

A licensed physician who has completed three years of graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American medical association or the American osteopathic association.

A person licensed pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 32, Chapter 19.1.

All communications that are recorded in any form or medium and that relate to patient examination, evaluation or behavioral or mental health treatment.  Records include medical records that are prepared by a health care provider or other providers.  Records do not include:

1. Materials that are prepared in connection with utilization review, peer review or quality assurance activities, including records that a health care provider prepares pursuant to section 36-441, 36-445, 36-2402, or 36-2917.
2. Recorded telephone and radio calls to and from a publicly operated emergency dispatch office relating to requests for emergency services or reports of suspected criminal activity.

An organization under contract with the administration to coordinate the delivery of mental health services in a geographically specific service area of the state for eligible persons.

A health care agency that is licensed by the department and that provides those services required by Title 36, Chapter 5.

A person who has completed two years of graduate training in social work in a program approved by the council of social work education and who has experience in mental health.