LAC 50:I.917. Policies and Procedures

A. Each health care provider shall establish and maintain written policies and procedures regarding advance directives. A health care provider shall maintain these policies and procedures for review by the department during a survey. These policies and procedures must include: 1. a written provision relating to individual rights, under federal and state law/regulation to make decisions concerning medical treatment; 2. the right of a patient to formulate advance directives as defined by the federal and state laws/regulations; 3. provisions providing adequate written notice of individual adult patients (at the time of admission, commencement, or enrollment) concerning patient rights; 4. a copy of existing advance directives in the patient’s medical records; 5. documentation of information dissemination as required in §915; 6. documentation in the individual’s medical record as to whether the individual has executed an advance directive; 7. a plan for participation in community and staff educational campaigns regarding advance directive by newsletters, articles in local newspapers, local news reports, or commercials; and 8. an assurance of compliance with state law with regard to: a. informing relevant personnel and networks of health care providers and services; b. providing information about advance directives; c. ascertaining existence of advance directives; d. making reasonable efforts to obtain copies by written request; and e. transferring copies of advance directives brought in by individuals seeking provider services.