§ 23-4.10-5. Treatment of patients.
(a) A 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 patient is not able to make those decisions, the durable power of attorney governs decisions regarding use of life sustaining procedures.
(b) This chapter does not prohibit any action considered necessary by the attending physician, health care provider, or emergency medical services personnel for comfort, care, or alleviation of pain.
(c) The durable power of attorney of a patient known to the attending physician to be pregnant shall be given no force or effect as long as it is probable that the fetus could develop to the point of live birth with continued application of life sustaining procedures.
History of Section.P.L. 1992, ch. 443, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 72, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-4.10 - Health Care Power of Attorney
Section 23-4.10-1.1. - Definitions.
Section 23-4.10-2. - Statutory form of durable power of attorney.
Section 23-4.10-3. - Revocation.
Section 23-4.10-4. - Recording contents of durable power of attorney.
Section 23-4.10-5. - Treatment of patients.
Section 23-4.10-6. - Transfer of patients.
Section 23-4.10-7. - Immunities.
Section 23-4.10-8. - Penalties.
Section 23-4.10-9. - General provisions.
Section 23-4.10-10. - Presumption of validity of durable power of attorney.
Section 23-4.10-11. - Recognition of durable power of attorney executed in another state.