NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON THE DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE PROTOCOL AND IDENTIFICATION IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to change regulations on the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Protocol and Identification including adoption of the Alaska Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Program. |
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Protocol and Identification, including the following:
- 7 AAC 16.010 - .090. Do-Not-Resuscitate Protocol and Identification, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- Repeal and readopt to
- Replace the current Comfort One Program with the Alaska Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Program.
- Update the DNR protocol to include current terminology and medical standards.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services, Attn: Todd McDowell, P.O. Box 110616, Juneau, AK 99811-0616. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-8634 and by electronic mail at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on October 27, 2020.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action via telephone at the hearing to be held on September 28, 2020, by calling 1-800-944-8766 , and using the participant access code number 83001#. Please note that in-person attendance will not be permitted at the hearing site because of the public health and safety concerns associated with the COVID – 19 pandemic. Please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. If you call to provide oral testimony, you should be on the line before the hearing begins at 10:00 a.m. The Department of Health & Social Services will give priority to those who call in before 12:00 p.m. The Department of Health & Social Services may, before the hearing begins, limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony. The time limit may be necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Todd McDowell by e-mail at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov or mail at State of Alaska, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services, Attention: Todd McDowell, P.O. Box 110616, Juneau, AK 99811-0616. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Todd McDowell by electronic mail at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov or phone at (907) 465-8634 not later than September 16, 2020, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Todd McDowell at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov or by phone at (907) 465-8634.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference may be also be viewed at the agency's office at the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Rural and Community Health Systems Section, 3601 C Street, Suite 424, Anchorage, AK 99503.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health & Social Services will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 13.52.060; AS 13.52.065; AS 13.52.080; AS 13.52.090; AS 13.52.100; AS 13.52.110; AS 13.52.120; AS 13.52.130; AS 13.52.135; AS 13.52.140; AS 13.52.150; AS 13.52.160; AS 13.52.300; AS 13.52.390.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 13.52.060; AS 13.52.065; AS 13.52.080; AS 13.52.090; AS 13.52.100; AS 13.52.110; AS 13.52.120; AS 13.52.130; AS 13.52.135; AS 13.52.140; AS 13.52.150; AS 13.52.160; AS 13.52.300; AS 13.52.390
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: August 14, 2020.
/s/Adam Crum
Commissioner,
Department of Health & Social Services
State of Alaska.