§ 63-3101.8. Patient's right to make decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment - Patient's comfort and alleviation of pain - Pregnant patient.  


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  • A.  A patient may make decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment as long as the patient is able to do so.

    B.  Even if life-sustaining treatment or artificial administration of nutrition and hydration are withheld or withdrawn, the patient shall be provided with medication or other medical treatment to alleviate pain and will be provided with oral consumption of food and water.

    C.  If a qualified patient has been diagnosed as pregnant and that diagnosis is known to the attending physician, the pregnant patient shall be provided with life-sustaining treatment and artificially administered hydration and nutrition, unless the patient has specifically authorized, in her own words, that during a course of pregnancy, life-sustaining treatment and/or artificially administered hydration and/or nutrition shall be withheld or withdrawn.  If it is not known if the patient is pregnant, the said physician shall, where appropriate considering age and other relevant factors, determine whether or not the patient is pregnant.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 114, § 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.  Amended by Laws 2006, c. 171, § 7, emerg. eff. May 17, 2006.