Relating to advance directives and health care and treatment decisions.
The primary impact of SB303 is on the procedures involving do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders. The bill mandates that upon admission to a healthcare facility, patients or their surrogates must be informed about the facility's policies regarding DNAR orders. If a physician intends to place such an order, they must first notify the patient or the surrogate, thereby reinforcing patient autonomy and informed consent. Furthermore, it seeks to streamline the process for resolving disagreements about treatment decisions, ensuring that patients have avenues for recourse if they feel their wishes are not respected.
SB303 addresses the complexities surrounding advance directives and health care treatment decisions in Texas. The bill makes significant amendments to the Health and Safety Code, particularly Section 166, clarifying the definitions and regulations surrounding life-sustaining treatments and the authority of surrogates in health care decisions. It emphasizes the importance of a clear communication process between health care facilities, patients, and their surrogates, ensuring that everyone involved is aware of patients' rights regarding their medical care in critical situations.
Notable points of contention surrounding SB303 include the provisions that allow an ethics committee to review treatment disagreements, which some may view as a potential obstacle to immediate patient care. The stipulation that life-sustaining treatment must be provided until a transfer to another provider is arranged could also spark debate. While proponents argue that these measures safeguard patient's rights and ensure thorough consideration of ethical dilemmas, opponents might raise concerns about delays in care and the implications of having treatment decisions scrutinized by an ethics committee, which could conflict with the wishes of the patient and their families.