§ 1254.4. — 1254.4. (Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 465, Sec. 1.)

(a)
A general acute care hospital shall adopt a policy for providing family or next of kin with a reasonably brief period of accommodation, as described in subdivision (b), from the time that a patient is declared dead by reason of irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, in accordance with Section 7180, through discontinuation of cardiopulmonary support for the patient. During this reasonably brief period of accommodation, a hospital is required to continue only previously ordered cardiopulmonary support. No other medical intervention is required.
(b)
For purposes of this section, a “reasonably brief period” means an amount of time afforded to gather family or next of kin at the patient’s bedside.
(c)
(1)
A hospital subject to this section shall provide the patient’s legally recognized health care decisionmaker, if any, or the patient’s family or next of kin, if available, with a written statement of the policy described in subdivision (a), upon request, but no later than shortly after the treating physician has determined that the potential for brain death is imminent.
(2)
If the patient’s legally recognized health care decisionmaker, family, or next of kin voices any special religious or cultural practices and concerns of the patient or the patient’s family surrounding the issue of death by reason of irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain of the patient, the hospital shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate those religious and cultural practices and concerns.
(d)
For purposes of this section, in determining what is reasonable, a hospital shall consider the needs of other patients and prospective patients in urgent need of care.
(e)
There shall be no private right of action to sue pursuant to this section.

Legislative History

Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 465, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.