HB 2285 Summary

• Removes the requirement that a "patient's provider" must have examined the patient in order to sign a Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form.

• Allows licensed physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants to sign POLST forms for their patients without a face-to-face encounter.

• Addresses barriers to timely POLST completion, particularly for hospice patients with short life expectancies (median 21-day stay in Hawaii) who may not have recent in-person visits with their providers.

• Amends the definition of "patient's provider" in Section 327K-1 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by striking language requiring patient examination.

• Takes effect upon approval.