Reprinted with Permission from the Birmingham Medical News

The Natural Death Act, Ala. Code 22-8A-1 et seq., contains the provisions on how an individual may
plan for end-of-life decisions. Specifically, it outlines the requirements for a valid Advanced Directive
and the removal and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. However, until recently, there has been
no law or guidance for "Do Not Resuscitate" ("DNAR") orders even though they are routinely used in
health care settings throughout the state. Even when a DNAR order had been entered at one facility,
the order was no longer valid after the patient left that facility or if the patient went to another
facility, for example, from the hospital to a long-term care setting. Each time, a new order had to be
obtained to carry out the patient's wishes.

In the 2016 legislative session, the Alabama Legislature passed an amendment to Alabama's Natural
Death Act to address DNAR orders and to facilitate the use of a valid DNAR order across multiple
health care settings.

To read the full article, download "The New Portable Do Not Resuscitate Order."