What is my liability in following or refusing to follow an advance directive?
A physician, health care facility, or health care professional with no knowledge of a directive is not civilly or criminally liable for failing to act in accordance with the directive. However, if an attending physician refuses to comply with the directive, life-sustaining treatment must be provided to the patient only until a reasonable opportunity has been afforded for the transfer of the patient to another physician willing to comply with the directive or treatment decision. Failure to follow a qualified patient’s directive will subject the physician or health care professional to review and disciplinary action by the appropriate licensing board.
Related Questions
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