Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 216 - Department of health › Chapter 20 - Community Health › Subchapter 15 - Information for Health Care Professionals › Part 4 - Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (216-RICR-20-15-4) › Section 216-RICR-20-15-4.4 - Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment

Current through June 14, 2024
4.4.1
Treatment of Qualified Patients.
A qualified patient has the right to make decisions
					 regarding use of life sustaining procedures as long as the patient is able to
					 do so. If a qualified patient is not able to make those decisions, the
					 declaration governs decisions regarding use of life sustaining
					 procedures.
4.4.2
Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.
A. The MOLST is a voluntary option for
				  qualified patients. No patient is required to elect a MOLST.
B. A declaration by a qualified patient may
				  be recorded as a medical order for life-sustaining treatment provided that:
1. The medical orders for life-sustaining
				  treatment and medical intervention and procedures are explained by a MOLST
				  qualified health care provider to the qualified patient or recognized health
				  care decision maker. The MOLST qualified health care provider shall further
				  inform the qualified patient of the difference between an advance health care
				  directive and MOLST medical order;
2. A MOLST qualified health care provider has
				  conducted an evaluation of the qualified patient; and
3. A MOLST form documenting the declaration
				  has been completed by a MOLST qualified health care provider based on qualified
				  patient preferences and medical appropriateness, and has been signed by a MOLST
				  qualified health care provider and the qualified patient or his or her
				  recognized health care decision maker.
C. A MOLST qualified health care provider may
				  conduct an evaluation of the qualified patient and, if necessary, in
				  consultation with the qualified patient or recognized health care decision
				  maker, issue a MOLST consistent with the most current information available
				  about the qualified patient's health status and care preferences.
D. A MOLST form shall be completed or updated
				  by a MOLST qualified health care provider in accordance with instructions
				  provided by the Department. Except as otherwise provided by the Act or these
				  Regulations, a MOLST qualified health care provider shall complete or update a
				  MOLST form in a manner that is consistent with:
1. The known decisions of:
a. A competent qualified patient;
				  or
b. A recognized health care
				  decision maker.
2. Any
				  known advance directive if the qualified patient is incapable of making an
				  informed decision.
E. A
				  health care provider shall treat a qualified patient in accordance with the
				  qualified patient's MOLST, subject to the provisions of the Act and these
				  Regulations.
F. A request regarding
				  resuscitative measures may also be evidenced by the words "do not resuscitate"
				  or the letters "DNR," in a qualified patient's medical record and/or through a
				  mechanism established by the Department consistent with the provisions of the
				  Act and these Regulations.
G. A
				  recognized health care decision maker may execute the MOLST form if the
				  qualified patient lacks capacity, or if the qualified patient has designated
				  that the health care decision maker's authority is valid.