In reliance on a patient's living will, a decision to administer, withhold, or withdraw medical treatment after the patient has been diagnosed by the attending physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to be in a terminal condition must always be based on reasonable medical practice, including:
(1) continuation of appropriate care to maintain the patient's comfort, hygiene, and human dignity and to alleviate pain;
(2) oral administration of food or water to a patient who accepts it, except for clearly documented medical reasons; and
(3) in the case of a living will of a patient that the attending physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant knows is pregnant, the living will must not be given effect as long as it is possible that the fetus could develop to the point of live birth with continued application of life-sustaining treatment.
1989 c 3 s 13; 1991 c 148 s 6; 2020 c 115 art 4 s 67; 2022 c 58 s 78
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Section 145B.011 — Application Of Chapter.
Section 145B.02 — Definitions.
Section 145B.03 — Living Will.
Section 145B.04 — Suggested Form.
Section 145B.05 — When Operative.
Section 145B.06 — Compliance With Living Will.
Section 145B.07 — Transfer Of Care.
Section 145B.08 — Access To Medical Information By Proxy.
Section 145B.11 — Effect On Insurance.
Section 145B.12 — What If There Is No Living Will Or Proxy?
Section 145B.13 — Reasonable Medical Practice Required.
Section 145B.14 — Certain Practices Not Condoned.
Section 145B.15 — Recognition Of Previously Executed Living Will.
Section 145B.16 — Recognition Of Document Executed In Another State.