New Jersey Assembly Bill A2796

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/22
• Refer: 2/28/22

Caption

Requires hospitals to provide certain resources to certain patients and to ask patients if patients have completed advance directive or practitioner orders for life-sustaining treatment form.

Impact

A2796 significantly amends current healthcare practices related to patient discharges in hospitals. By making an affirmative inquiry to determine if patients have completed advance directives or POLST forms, hospitals will promote a more proactive approach in ensuring that patients' preferences for end-of-life care are honored. This bill underscores the importance of communication between healthcare providers and patients, encouraging discussions around sensitive health care decisions that can impact patients' quality of life and treatment preferences during serious medical conditions.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2796, introduced in New Jersey, mandates that hospitals inquire about patients' advance directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms upon discharge. This legislation aims to ensure patients are aware of their rights regarding end-of-life care and facilitate the completion of necessary documentation while the patient is still receiving care. Under this bill, hospitals are required to provide patients with resources related to advance care planning, such as paper copies of POLST forms and links to online resources. The overarching goal is to foster patient autonomy regarding health care decisions, especially in situations concerning life-sustaining treatment.

Contention

While the intent of A2796 aims to empower patients, discussions regarding its implementation may reveal potential challenges. Some healthcare providers may express concern about the additional workload and implications for their administrative processes. Specifically, the stipulation that hospitals must offer resources and documentation at discharge can lead to claims of increased operational costs or potential liabilities if the procedure is not adhered to properly. Furthermore, the bill does not require primary care providers to make the inquiry more than once per year, ensuring that patients cannot inadvertently be overwhelmed but raising the question of how to optimize patient engagement without compromising care.