§ 24 §2905-A — Informed consent for breast cancer

Maine § 24 §2905-A

• Jurisdiction: Maine
• Title 24: INSURANCE
• Ch. 21: MAINE HEALTH SECURITY ACT

Text

1.
Duty of physician.
Notwithstanding section 2905, a physician who is administering the primary treatment for breast cancer shall inform the patient as provided in this section, orally and in writing, about alternative efficacious methods of treatment of breast cancer, including surgical, radiological or chemotherapeutic treatments or any other generally accepted medical treatment and the advantages, disadvantages and the usual and most frequent risks of each.
2.
Written information.
The duty to inform the patient in writing may be met by giving the patient a standardized written summary or brochure as described in subsections 3 and 4.
3.
Standardized written summary.
The standardized written summary may be developed by the Bureau of Health after consultation with the Cancer Advisory Committee.
4.
Brochure.
The brochure must be one which is approved or made available through the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the American College of Surgeons or any other recognized professional organization approved by the Bureau of Health.
5.
Signed form.
A form, signed by the patient, indicating that the patient has been given the oral information required by this section and a copy of the brochure or the standardized written summary shall be included in the patient's medical record.
6.
Extent of duty.
A physician's duty to inform a patient under this section does not require disclosure of information beyond what a reasonably well-qualified physician licensed under Title 32 would know.
7.
Actions barred.
A patient who signs a form described in subsection 5 is barred from bringing a civil action against the physician, based on failure to obtain informed consent, but only in regard to information pertaining to alternative forms of treatment of breast cancer and the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of each method.
8.
Application of this section to common law rights.
Nothing in this section restricts or limits the rights of a patient under common law.

Legislative History

PL 1989, c. 291, §1 (NEW).