Nevada Revised Statutes 450B.540 – Person not guilty of unprofessional conduct or subject to liability for withholding or providing life-resuscitating treatment under certain circumstances
1. A person is not guilty of unprofessional conduct or subject to civil or criminal liability if the person:
Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 450B.540
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- person: means a natural person, any form of business or social organization and any other nongovernmental legal entity including, but not limited to, a corporation, partnership, association, trust or unincorporated organization. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.039
- physician: means a person who engages in the practice of medicine, including osteopathy and homeopathy. See Nevada Revised Statutes 0.040
(a) Is a physician or advanced practice registered nurse who:
(1) Causes the withholding of life-resuscitating treatment from a qualified patient who possesses a do-not-resuscitate identification in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol; or
(2) While the patient is being prepared to be transferred, or is being transferred, from one health care facility to another health care facility, carries out a do-not-resuscitate order that is documented in the medical record of a qualified patient, in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol;
(b) Pursuant to the direction of or with the authorization of a physician or advanced practice registered nurse, participates in:
(1) The withholding of life-resuscitating treatment from a qualified patient who possesses a do-not-resuscitate identification in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol; or
(2) While the patient is being prepared to be transferred, or is being transferred, from one health care facility to another health care facility, carrying out a do-not-resuscitate order that is documented in the medical record of a qualified patient, in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol; or
(c) Administers emergency medical services and:
(1) Causes or participates in the withholding of life-resuscitating treatment from a qualified patient who possesses a do-not-resuscitate identification;
(2) Before a qualified patient is admitted to a medical facility, carries out a do-not-resuscitate order that has been issued in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol; or
(3) While the patient is being prepared to be transferred, or is being transferred, from one health care facility to another health care facility, carries out a do-not-resuscitate order that is documented in the medical record of a qualified patient, in accordance with the do-not-resuscitate protocol.
2. A health care facility, ambulance service or fire-fighting agency that employs a person described in subsection 1 is not guilty of unprofessional conduct or subject to civil or criminal liability for the acts or omissions of the employee carried out in accordance with the provisions of subsection 1.
3. A physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a person pursuant to the direction or authorization of a physician or advanced practice registered nurse, a health care facility or a person administering emergency medical services who provides life-resuscitating treatment pursuant to:
(a) An oral or written request made by a qualified patient, or the parent or legal guardian of a qualified patient, who may revoke the authorization to withhold life-resuscitating treatment pursuant to NRS 450B.525 or 450B.530; or
(b) An observation that a qualified patient, or the parent or legal guardian of a qualified patient, has revoked or otherwise indicated that he or she wishes to revoke the authorization to withhold life-resuscitating treatment pursuant to NRS 450B.525 or 450B.530, is not guilty of unprofessional conduct or subject to civil or criminal liability.