2964 - Decision-making by an adult with capacity.
§ 2964. Decision-making by an adult with capacity. 1. (a) The consent of an adult with capacity must be obtained prior to issuing an order not to resuscitate, except as provided in subdivision three of this section. (b) If the adult has capacity at the time the order is to be issued, the consent must be obtained at or about such time, notwithstanding any prior oral or written consent. 2. (a) During hospitalization, an adult with capacity may express a decision consenting to an order not to resuscitate orally in the presence of at least two witnesses eighteen years of age or older, one of whom is a physician affiliated with the hospital in which the patient is being treated. Any such decision shall be recorded in the patient's medical chart. (b) Prior to or during hospitalization, an adult with capacity may express a decision consenting to an order not to resuscitate in writing, dated and signed in the presence of at least two witnesses eighteen years of age or older who shall sign the decision. (c) An attending physician who is provided with or informed of a decision pursuant to this subdivision shall record or include the decision in the patient's medical chart if the decision has not been recorded or included, and either: (i) promptly issue an order not to resuscitate the patient or issue an order at such time as the conditions, if any, specified in the decision are met, and inform the hospital staff responsible for the patient's care of the order; or (ii) promptly make his or her objection to the issuance of such an order and the reasons therefor known to the patient and either make all reasonable efforts to arrange for the transfer of the patient to another physician, if necessary, or promptly submit the matter to the dispute mediation system. (d) Prior to issuing an order not to resuscitate a patient who has expressed a decision consenting to an order not to resuscitate under specified medical conditions, the attending physician must make a determination, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that such conditions exist, and include the determination in the patient's medical chart. 5. If the patient is in or is transferred from a correctional facility, notice of the patient's consent to an order not to resuscitate shall be given to the facility director and reasonable efforts shall be made to provide notice to an individual designated by the patient to receive such notification prior to the issuance of the order not to resuscitate. Notification to the facility director or the individual designated by the patient shall not unreasonably delay issuance of an order not to resuscitate.