RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 486 (SB 360) 2016 Regular Session Mills
Prior law (R.S. 40:1155.2(5)) defined "LaPOST" as "Louisiana Physician Order for Scope
of Treatment".
New law retains prior law definition and additionally provides that LaPOST is further
defined by the form prescribed in new law.
Prior law (R.S. 40:1155.2(8)) provided that "Louisiana Physician Order for Scope of
Treatment" means a form which documents the wishes of a qualified patient in a physician
order.
Prior law verbally specified the wording and information requirements for each section and
field of the form which provide information, instructions, and areas to record information,
including the following:
(1)HIPAA statement.
(2)Name of form.
(3)Instructions for following physician orders.
(4)Fields to record personal information and signatures of physician, patient, and
patient's personal health care representative.
(5)Patient diagnosis.
(6)Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
(7)Medical interventions, including levels of additional interventions.
(8)Use or non-use of antibiotics.
(9)Artificially administered fluids and nutrition, including when and how such may be
used.
(10)Other instructions.
(11)Summary of goals, including the basis for physician orders.
(12)Directions for health care professionals.
(13)Completing LaPOST.
(14)Using LaPOST.
(15)Review of LaPOST form.
New law repeals prior law.
New law (R.S. 40:1155.2.1) replaces the verbal directives in prior law as to the form's
content with a visual representation of the actual LaPOST form to be used, which essentially
includes the information required in prior law. Primary changes to the required form are as
follows:
(1)Specifies that LaPOST complements an Advance Directive and is not intended to
replace that document.
(2)Adds field for a medical record number. (3)Adds statement that use of the form is voluntary and that the signatures on the form
indicate that the physician's orders are consistent with the patient's medical condition
and treatment plan, and are the known desires or in the best interest of the patient.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 13, 2016).
(Amends R.S. 40:1155.2(5); adds R.S. 40:1155.2.1; repeals R.S. 40:1155.2(8))