Bill > HB5447

This bill amends West Virginia law to explicitly recognize and define two new categories of Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders: DNR-Comfort Care Arrest (DNR-CCA) and DNR-Comfort Care (DNR-CC), aiming for clearer and more patient-centered care. DNR-CCA allows for all medical interventions up until the point of cardiopulmonary arrest, at which time cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) would not be performed, while DNR-CC signifies a patient's wish for comfort-focused care only, with the withholding or withdrawal of all life-prolonging therapies. The bill mandates that all in-hospital DNR orders must clearly specify the chosen code-status category (Full Code, DNR-CCA, or DNR-CC) and requires that when a DNR order is placed or changed, the attending physician or qualified advanced practice registered nurse/physician assistant must discuss the full scope of interventions that will be withheld or permitted with the patient or their surrogate, ensuring informed consent. Furthermore, the bill requires hospitals and other healthcare facilities to adopt internal policies reflecting these new DNR categories, provide staff training, and include standardized order sets or electronic health record templates that incorporate them.

Health and Social Services

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=5447&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill