35-22-504. POLST forms; department of health duties.

(a) The department of health shall promulgate rules implementing this act and prescribing a standardized POLST form, subject to the following:

(i) The rules shall contain protocols for the implementation of a standardized POLST form, which shall be available in electronic format on the department website for downloading by patients and providers;

(ii) The department in formulating rules and forms shall consult with health care professional licensing groups, provider advocacy groups, patient advocacy groups, medical ethicists and other appropriate stakeholders;

(iii) To the extent possible, the standardized POLST form and protocols shall be consistent with use across all health care settings, shall reflect nationally recognized standards for end-of-life care and shall include:

(A) The patient's directive concerning the administration of life sustaining treatment;

(B) The dated signature of the patient or, if applicable, the patient's agent, guardian or surrogate;

(C) The name, address and telephone number of the patient's primary health care provider;

(D) The dated signature of the primary health care provider entering medical orders on the POLST form, who certifies that the signing provider discussed the patient's care goals and preferences with the patient or the patient's agent, guardian or surrogate.

(b) The department in implementing this article shall:

(i) Recommend a uniform method of identifying persons who have executed a POLST form and providing health care providers with contact information of the person's primary health care provider;

(ii) Oversee the education of health care providers regarding the POLST program under the department's licensing authority;

(iii) Develop a process for collecting provider feedback to enable periodic redesign of the POLST form in accordance with current health care practice;

(iv) Adopt a plan to convert the cardiopulmonary resuscitation directive program under W.S. 35-22-203 to a POLST program by January 1, 2016.