Section 13.52.055. Pregnancy.

   (a) Before implementing a health care decision for a woman of childbearing age that would affect a fetus if present, the supervising health care provider shall take reasonable steps to determine whether the woman is pregnant.
   (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, an advance health care directive by a patient or a decision by the person then authorized to make health care decisions for a patient may not be given effect if
        (1) the patient is a woman who is pregnant and lacks capacity;
        (2) the directive or decision is to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining procedures;
        (3) the withholding or withdrawal of the life-sustaining procedures would, in reasonable medical judgment, be likely to result in the death of the patient; and
        (4) it is probable that the fetus could develop to the point of live birth if the life-sustaining procedures were provided.
   (c) This section does not apply to emergency services in the field.

Authorities

13.52.030;13.52.080;13.52.223;13.52.253

Notes

References

AS 13.52.030 Surrogates.
AS 13.52.080 Immunities.
AS 13.52.223 Rights and duties of procurement organization and others.
AS 13.52.253 Effect of anatomical gift on advance health care directive.

History

(Sec. 3 ch 83 SLA 2004)