2017 Arkansas Code
Title 20 - Public Health and Welfare
Subtitle 2 - Health and Safety
Chapter 6 - General Provisions
Subchapter 3 - Arkansas Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act
§ 20-6-304. Physician order for life-sustaining treatment form

Universal Citation: AR Code § 20-6-304 (2017)
  • (a) The State Board of Health shall prescribe a standardized physician order for life-sustaining treatment form that:
    • (1) Is signed and dated by:
      • (A) The patient or the legal representative of the patient; and
      • (B) The physician of the patient;
    • (2) Includes:
      • (A) The name and date of birth of the patient; and
      • (B) The intentions of the patient regarding care, including without limitation the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the level of medical interventions in the event of a medical emergency; and
    • (3) Is easily distinguishable to facilitate recognition by healthcare providers and healthcare facilities.
  • (b) A legal representative may sign a physician order for life-sustaining treatment form on behalf of a patient who lacks capacity to do so, guided by:
    • (1) The express or implied intentions of the patient; or
    • (2) If the intentions of the patient are unknown and cannot be reasonably determined, the best interest of the patient given the overall medical condition and prognosis of the patient.
  • (c)
    • (1) The physician order for life-sustaining treatment form shall be completed by a physician based upon patient intentions and medical indications.
    • (2) During the process of completing the physician order for life-sustaining treatment form, the physician may:
      • (A) Explain:
        • (i) The physician order for life-sustaining treatment form; and
        • (ii) The medical interventions and procedures offered by the life-sustaining treatment form; and
      • (B) Inform the patient or the legal representative of the patient about the difference between an advance directive and the physician order for life-sustaining treatment form.
  • (d) This subchapter does not authorize a physician to unilaterally create a physician order for life-sustaining treatment on behalf of an individual.
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