N.J. Admin. Code § 8:42-6.4 - Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

(a) An agency shall comply with the requirements of the Practitioner Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Act (POLST Act), N.J.S.A. 26:2H-129 et seq.

(b) An agency shall establish and review, at least annually, and more often as needed, revise as needed, and implement, written policies and procedures to effectuate the POLST Act, that include, but are not limited to:

1. The requirements imposed upon agencies at N.J.S.A. 26:2H-134;

2. Procedures in the event of a disagreement regarding the POLST Form that are consistent with N.J.S.A. 26:2H-136;

3. A delineation of the responsibilities of attending physicians, administration, nursing, social service, and other staff in regard to the POLST Forms; and

4. In the event the agency is a private, religiously-affiliated health care institution, policies for a transfer of a patient in compliance with N.J.A.C. 8:42-6.6(a)4.

(c) Before providing care to an adult patient, and routinely thereafter at other appropriate times, an agency shall:

1. Inquire of the patient, the patient's family member, or other patient representative if the patient is unable to respond, about the existence and location of the POLST Form for the patient;

2. Document each response to this inquiry in the patient's medical record;

3. If this inquiry indicates that the POLST Form for the patient exists and is in effect, request and take reasonable steps to obtain the POLST Form; and

4. Enter the POLST Form into the patient's medical record, if one is obtained.

(d) An agency shall provide staff training regarding the POLST Act that addresses at least the following:

1. The rights and responsibilities of staff; and

2. Internal policies and procedures to implement this law.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:42-6.4

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 1445(a), effective 7/18/2016 Amended by 55 N.J.R. 2546(a), effective 12/18/2023