§ 16-30-25 — Portable orders for scope of treatment form

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Health shall implement the statewide distribution of standardized portable orders for scope of treatment (POST) forms.

(b) Portable orders for scope of treatment forms shall be standardized forms used to reflect orders by a qualified physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant for medical treatment of a person in accordance with that person’s wishes or, if that person’s wishes are not reasonably known and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained, in accordance with that person’s best interest. The form shall be bright pink in color to facilitate recognition by emergency medical services personnel and other health care providers and shall be designed to provide for information regarding the care of the patient, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) The orders of a qualified physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation, level of medical intervention in the event of a medical emergency, use of antibiotics, and use of medically administered fluids and nutrition and the basis for the orders;

(2) The signature of the qualified physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant;

(3) Whether the person has completed an advance directive or had a guardian, medical power of attorney representative, or surrogate appointed;

(4) The signature of the person or his or her guardian, medical power of attorney representative, or surrogate acknowledging agreement with the orders of the qualified physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant; and

(5) The date, location, and outcome of any review of the portable orders for scope of treatment form.

(c) The portable orders for scope of treatment form shall be kept as the first page in a person’s medical record in a health care facility unless otherwise specified in the health care facility’s policies and procedures and shall be transferred with the person from one health care facility to another.

Legislative History

2024 Reg. Sess., HB4274; 2022 Reg. Sess., SB470; 2003 Reg. Sess., HB3075; 2002 Reg. Sess., HB4328; 2002 Reg. Sess., SB658