Delaware End-of-Life Legal Issues

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Developments Impacting Future Policymaking

POLST

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm program has now been adopted in the vast majority of states. It is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end of life. It is based on effective communication of patient wishes, documentation of medical orders on a brightly colored form and a promise by health care professionals to honor these wishes.
http://www.ohsu.edu/ethics/polst/

Palliative Care

Palliative medicine is focused on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. In October 2008, the National Palliative Care Research Center issued a state-by-state report card on its availability and quality. Delaware was right in the middle of the states with a “C.”
http://www.capc.org/reportcard/home/DE/RC/Delaware

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Senate Resolution 9
April 9, 2009
This Senate resolution designates April 16, 2009 as Healthcare
Decisions Day in the State of Delaware and it urges all
Delaware citizens to reflect upon their treatment preferences
and plan ahead for their health care decisions.
Link for text "Senate Resolution 9"


House Bill 112
Signed by Governor Markell on June 18, 2009
This law requires hospitals and nursing facilities to honor
advance health-care directives and any similar documents,
subject to limitations set forth in the Bill.
Summary of "House Bill 112"
Full Text of House Bill 112

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Disclaimer: This website is intended only as an informational resource to consumers arnd healthcare workers. It should NOT be construed as offering or providing profesional medical or legal advice.