Search:

Health Care Law Alerts

SmithAmundsen Health Care: Informed Consent Handbook & New Requirements for DNR Orders

Every day, health care providers are faced with the issue of informed consent, and as we all know, failure to comply with the consent rules can lead to litigation down the road. Thus, it is important for health care providers to periodically review the basics of consent and to stay abreast of any changes in the rules. We are pleased to announce that we have completed an update of our “Informed Consent Handbook.” This guide to Illinois law on informed consent is available in an electronic format by clicking here.

Recently the Illinois legislature passed Public Act 96-765 which deals with consent for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders. Specifically, a DNR Order will require only one witness instead of two and will require that the witness attest that the person executing the DNR Order was given the opportunity to read the form and either signed the form or acknowledged the form in the witness’ presence. These changes go into effect on January 1, 2010.