NRS450B.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:

      (a) Is a physician 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, 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, a person pursuant to the direction or authorization of a physician, 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,

Ê is not guilty of unprofessional conduct or subject to civil or criminal liability.

      (Added to NRS by 1997, 289; A 2001, 817)