NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE PROTOCOL AND IDENTIFICATION
IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health (DOH) proposes to change regulations on the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Protocol and Identification, including the Alaska Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Program. |
The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Protocol and Identification. The proposed changes are related to HB 392, and include the following:***
***Please Note. Details related to HB 392 Short Title: “EXPAND ADV PRC REG NURSE, PHYS ASSIS AUTH”; Title: "An Act relating to advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants; and relating to death certificates, do not resuscitate orders, and life sustaining treatment." (HB 392; 32nd Legislature). The HB 392 bill was signed into law. The related details may be accessed on the Alaska State Legislature’s website at https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/32?Root=HB%20392 ; the PDF version of HB 392 may be accessed at https://www.akleg.gov/PDF/32/Bills/HB0392Z.PDF .***
- 7 AAC 16. Do-Not-Resuscitate Protocol and Identification, is proposed to be amended as follows:
- Amend the POLST Program title from Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment to Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment.
- Add an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) and a physician assistant (PA) to authorize an ARNP and a PA to sign, modify and issue POLST forms.
- Amend the department’s adopted by reference POLST Program manual to include an ARNP and a PA.
- Amend the department’s adopted by reference form titled Alaska POLST Form:A Portable Medical Order, to include an ARNP and a PA.
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 Mr. Todd McDowell by electronic mail at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov , or by mail at the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services, Attn: Todd McDowell, P.O. Box 110616, Juneau, AK 99811-0616. The comments must be received not later than 5 p.m. on December 20, 2023.
You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action by telephone at the hearing to be held on December 13, 2023, on Zoom. You may join the online Zoom meeting by using the Zoom website link, or by calling the toll-free telephone number, using the meeting ID, and passcode.
- The details for the Zoom meeting are as follows:
- Zoom Call-in toll-free number: 1-(833) 928-4608 (US Toll-free); Meeting ID: 721 657 4635; and Passcode: 532109.
- Meeting Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7216574635?pwd=bXVxWk5jSStqRWdkTFF0MkdZSTB6QT09
Meeting ID: 721 657 4635; and Passcode: 532109.
There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. The hearing is scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and priority will be given to commenters on the line before the beginning of the hearing. The hearing may be extended to accommodate those on the line before 2:30 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. Before the start of the hearing, Department of Health may limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony, as reasonably necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Todd McDowell by electronic mail at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov or mail at State of Alaska, Department of Health, 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 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 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 December 6, 2023, 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 or by contacting Todd McDowell at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov , or by phone at (907) 465-8634.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health 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 (in thousands of dollars): The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
The Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services, keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all the Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services, notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Health, Division of Public Health, Section of Rural & Community Health Systems, Emergency Medical Services, at todd.mcdowell@alaska.gov , giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
Individuals can also signup to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.
DATE: November 7, 2023.
/s/Heidi Hedberg
Commissioner,
Department of Health
State of Alaska.