The definition of DDNR should be amended to incorporate the POST form that is being used by more and more providers around the state.  POST is a physicians order that enables a patient's wishes and care plan to be established on a common form that is effective regardless of a patient's location.

The only edit that appears to be necessary is a revision to the definitions, 12VAC5-66-10, such as: “The term DDNR shall include a Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) form completed by a licensed practitioner and signed by the patient or patient’s authorized representative.”

Currently, the comprehensive use of the POST form is hindered by the fact that the immunity provided in the the Healthcare Decisions Act (Va. Code 54.1-2988) is not expessly available to providers.

Thank you for considering this comment.

Nathan A. Kottkamp

Founder and Chair, National Healthcare Decisions Day

The definition of DDNR should be amended to incorporate the POST form that is being used by more and more providers around the state. POST is a physicians order that enables a patient's wishes and care plan to be established on a common form that is effective regardless of a patient's location.

The only edit that appears to be necessary is a revision to the definitions, 12VAC5-66-10, such as: “The term DDNR shall include a Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) form completed by a licensed practitioner and signed by the patient or patient’s authorized representative.”

Currently, the comprehensive use of the POST form is hindered by the fact that the immunity provided in the the Healthcare Decisions Act (Va. Code 54.1-2988) is not expessly available to providers.

Thank you for considering this comment

I echo the comments of Nathan Kottkamp that the definition of DDNR should be amended to incorporate the POST form. 

The Virginia POST Collaborative Executive Committee is hereby submitting a comment regarding the Regulations Governing Durable Do Not Resuscitate Orders (12 VAC 5-66). We are in agreement with previous comments submitted by Nathan Kottkamp, Ken Faulkner and Lois Shepherd, that the definition of DDNR should be amended to designate Section A of the Virginia POST form as a Durable Do Not Resuscitate order. The Virginia POST form is being used by more and more providers around the state, and this designation as a DDNR will strengthen the clarity and portability of the form.

We are, therefore, requesting that Section A of the Virginia POST form be included in 12 VAC5-66 as a Durable Do Not Resuscitate (DDNR) order. We also submit a definition of POST such as:

"Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment" ("POST") means a set of portable medical orders (section A of which is a valid DDNR order) resulting from a patient's or a patient's authorized representative's informed decision-making with health care professionals that respects the patient's goals for care regarding the use of medical interventions, is applicable across health care settings, and can be reviewed and revised as needed or desired by the patient or the patient's authorized representative.

Thank you for your consideration in this comment and please contact the Virginia POST Collaborative for any additional information.

Paula Avery Drummer, MS

Program Coordinator, Virginia POST Collaborative