AK HB392

Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants can now issue do not resuscitate orders and make death determinations alongside physicians, with the same authority and legal protections.

Registered nurses may pronounce death if an attending physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant has documented anticipated death and authorized them in writing; prognosis is valid for up to 120 days.

Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants must certify deaths within 24 hours of nurse pronouncement and can authorize all facility nurses to make death determinations if the facility has written policies in place.

Expanded advance health care directive form allows individuals to express wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment, artificial nutrition and hydration, pain relief, mental health treatment, and anatomical gifts.

Advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants are now included throughout Alaska's health care decision and end-of-life treatment statutes, granting them authority equivalent to physicians in do not resuscitate orders, cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions, and medical certifications.