To Amend The Law Concerning Death Certificates; And To Clarify The Medical Professionals Who May Sign A Medical Certificate Of Death And Pronounce Death Of A Patient.
Impact
The passage of HB 1734 would modify Arkansas's legal framework governing death certifications, effectively enhancing the scope of practice for registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. By enabling these professionals to sign death certificates, the bill aims to streamline the certification process, particularly in hospice and hospital environments. This change could lead to quicker documentation of death, which is crucial in sensitive and urgent situations, and it may relieve the burden on physicians who are often overwhelmed with various responsibilities in healthcare settings.
Summary
House Bill 1734 seeks to amend existing regulations concerning death certificates to clarify which medical professionals are authorized to sign the medical certification of death. The bill specifically allows registered nurses employed by attending hospices to complete and sign these certificates for terminal patients receiving hospice care. It also expands the authority of advanced practice registered nurses to pronounce death in hospital settings under certain conditions, particularly when other physicians are unavailable. This measure reflects a significant shift in recognizing the critical roles that nurses play in end-of-life care and the formal processes surrounding it.
Sentiment
General sentiment around the bill appears to be positive, particularly among healthcare professionals and advocates for hospice care. Supporters view the legislation as a necessary modernization that acknowledges the pivotal role of nurses in patient care. They argue that it could improve the quality of service for terminally ill patients and their families. However, there may be concerns raised by some factions regarding the expansion of responsibilities for nurses and ensuring that the proper training and support systems are in place to handle such duties responsibly.
Contention
A notable point of contention surrounding HB 1734 lies in the potential implications for accountability and quality control in death certifications. Some critics may raise concerns about whether all registered nurses and advanced practice nurses have the requisite training to make such determinations about death and ensure that all bureaucratic requirements are met. Additionally, there will be discussions about the adequacy of existing processes to monitor and ensure the appropriate use of these new powers, especially in emotionally charged end-of-life scenarios.
To Exempt Over-the-counter Drugs Prescribed By A Medical Professional From Sales And Use Tax; And To Clarify Which Medical Professionals May Prescribe Drugs That Are Exempt From Sales And Use Tax.
To Enact The Preceptor Tax Incentive Program; And To Provide Incentives For Certain Medical Or Counseling Professionals To Train Students Who Are Learning To Become Medical Or Counseling Professionals.
To Amend "quincy's Law" Concerning Testing In Certain Investigations Under The Child Maltreatment Act; To Amend The Law Regarding The Right To Medical Records Under The Child Maltreatment Act; And To Declare An Emergency.
To Amend The No Patient Left Alone Act; To Require Outpatient Facilities To Comply With Visitation And Support Person Requirements; And To Add Penalties For A Violation Of The No Patient Left Alone Act.
To Amend The Law Concerning Concealed Handguns; And To Protect The Rights Of Medical Marijuana Patients And Caregivers To Obtain A License To Carry A Concealed Handgun.
To Amend The Medicaid Fraud Act And The Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act; And To Update Language And Definitions To Reflect Changes Within The Healthcare System;.
To Regulate Electronic Medical Records; And To Prohibit A Healthcare Payor That Has Electronic Access To Medical Records From Requesting Medical Records In A Different Format From A Healthcare Provider.