Code of the District of Columbia

§ 31–2801. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Ancillary services” means standard medical procedures that are reasonably necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of a patient.

(2) “Emergency services” means:

(A) Health care services furnished in the emergency department of a hospital for the treatment of a medical emergency;

(B) Ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department of a hospital for the treatment of a medical emergency; and

(C) Emergency medical services transportation.

(3) “Medical emergency” means the sudden onset or sudden worsening of a medical condition that manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected by a prudent lay person, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, to result in:

(A) Placing the patient’s health in serious jeopardy;

(B) Serious impairment to bodily functions; or

(C) Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.