Sec. 5676.

(1) The department, after considering the recommendations of the advisory committee under section 5675, shall do all of the following:

(a) Develop a standardized POST form that has a distinct format and is printed on a specific stock and color of paper to make the form easily identifiable. The department shall include on the POST form at least all of the following:

(i) A space for the printed name of the patient, the patient's age, and the patient's diagnosis or medical condition that warrants the medical orders on the POST form.

(ii) A space for the signature of the patient or the patient representative who consents to the medical orders indicated on the POST form and a space to indicate the date the patient or the patient representative signed the form.

(iii) A space for the printed name and signature of the attending health professional who issues the medical orders on the POST form.

(iv) Sections containing medical orders that direct specific types or levels of treatment to be provided in a setting outside of a hospital to which a patient or a patient representative may provide consent.

(v) A space for the date and the initials of either the attending health professional and the patient or the attending health professional and the patient representative. The POST form must also include a statement that, by dating and initialing the POST form, the individuals described in this subparagraph confirm that the medical orders on the form remain in effect.

(vi) A statement that, within a time frame established by the department by rule, the POST form must be reviewed, dated, and initialed by either the attending health professional and the patient or the attending health professional and the patient representative, if any of the following have occurred:

(A) One year has expired since the patient and the attending health professional or the patient representative and the attending health professional have signed or initialed the POST form.

(B) There has been an unexpected change in the patient's medical condition.

(C) The patient is transferred from 1 care setting or care level to another care setting or care level.

(D) The patient's treatment preferences change.

(E) The patient's attending health professional changes.

(vii) A statement that a patient or a patient representative has the option of executing a POST form and that consenting to the medical orders on the POST form is voluntary.

(viii) A statement that the POST form is void if any information described in subparagraph (i), (ii), or (iii) is not provided on the form or if a requirement described in subparagraph (vi) is not met.

(ix) A statement that if a section on the POST form regarding a specific type or level of treatment is left blank, the blank section will be interpreted as authorizing full treatment for the patient for that treatment, but a blank section on the POST form regarding a specific type or level of treatment does not invalidate the entire form or other medical orders on the form.

(x) A space for the printed name and contact information of the patient representative, if applicable.

(b) Develop an information form. The department shall include on the information form at least all of the following:

(i) An introductory statement in substantially the following form:

"The POST form is intended to be used as part of an advance care planning process. The POST form is not intended to be used as a stand-alone advance health care directive that unilaterally expresses the patient's medical treatment wishes. The POST form contains medical orders that are jointly agreed to by the patient and the attending health professional or the patient representative and the attending health professional. The medical orders on the POST form reflect both the patient's expressed wishes or best interests and the attending health professional's medical advice or recommendation. An advance care planning process that uses the POST form must recommend that the patient consider designating an individual to serve as the patient's patient advocate to make future medical decisions on behalf of the patient if the patient becomes unable to do so.".

(ii) An explanation of who is considered a patient with an advanced illness for purposes of executing a POST form.

(iii) An explanation of how a patient advocate is designated under sections 5506 to 5515 of the estates and protected individuals code, 1998 PA 386, MCL 700.5506 to 700.5515.

(iv) A statement indicating that, by signing the information form, the patient or the patient representative acknowledges that he or she had the opportunity to review the information form before executing a POST form.

(v) A space for the signature of the patient or the patient representative and a space to indicate the date the patient or the patient representative reviewed the information form.

(c) Promulgate rules to implement this part. The rules must include, but are not limited to, the procedures for the use of a POST form within a residential setting and the circumstances under which a photocopy, facsimile, or digital image of a completed POST form will be considered valid for purposes of a health professional, a health facility, an adult foster care facility, or emergency medical services personnel complying with the medical orders on the form.

(2) The department may publish information or materials regarding the POST form on the department's website.

History: Add. 2017, Act 154, Eff. Feb. 6, 2018 Popular Name: Act 368