Law & Policy

Delaware Healthcare Decisions Law

Delaware Health Care Decisions Act

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c025/index.shtml

Delaware Uniform Determination of Death Act

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title24/c017/sc05/index.shtml

Delaware Uniform Anatomical Gift Act

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c027/sc02/index.shtml

Delaware Guardianship Code

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title12/c039/sc01/index.shtml

Delaware Regulations on the Pre-Hospital Advanced Care Directive

http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title16/4000/4300/4304.shtml

Delaware Regulations concerning Hospitals

http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title16/4000/4400/4407.shtml#TopOfPage

Delaware Regulations concerning Hospices

http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title16/4000/4400/4468.shtml#TopOfPage

Selected Judicial Opinions

1. Severns v. Wilmington Medical Center, Inc., 421 A.2d 1334 (Del. 1980). PDF
2. In re Tavel, 661 A.2d 1061 (Del. 1995) PDF
3. In re L.M.R., C.M. No. 4392-S-MG (Del. Chancery Jan. 24, 2008). PDF

Federal Healthcare Decisions Law

Patient Self Determination Act

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode42/usc_sec_42_00001395--cc000-.html

Medicare Conditions of Participation concerning Patient Rights

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CFCsAndCoPs/downloads/finalpatientrightsrule.pdf
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/pdf/42cfr482.13.pdf
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/octqtr/42cfr482.13.htm

CMS Interpretive Guidance on Medicare COPs concerning Patient Rights

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/downloads/som107ap_a_hospitals.pdf

The Joint Commission

2009 Hospital Accreditation Standards concerning End-of-Life PDF
http://jointcommission.org

Developments Impacting Future Policymaking

POLST

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm program has now been adopted in the vast majority of states. It is designed to improve the quality of care people receive at the end of life. It is based on effective communication of patient wishes, documentation of medical orders on a brightly colored form and a promise by health care professionals to honor these wishes.
http://www.ohsu.edu/ethics/polst/

Palliative Care

Palliative medicine is focused on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. In October 2008, the National Palliative Care Research Center issued a state-by-state report card on its availability and quality. Delaware was right in the middle of the states with a “C.”
http://www.capc.org/reportcard/home/DE/RC/Delaware