Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, “palliative care” means patient centered and family focused medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and treating suffering caused by a medical illness or a physical injury or condition that substantially affects a patient’s quality of life. The term includes the following:

(1) Addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

(2) Providing appropriate care based on patient and family need and without regard to the patient’s age, stage of illness, or prognosis.

(3) Facilitating patient autonomy and choice of care.

(4) Allowing for curative and life prolonging treatment in any care setting.

(5) Providing an interdisciplinary team of practitioners, including physicians, nurses, and other specialists.

(6) Providing access to information.

(7) Discussing the patient’s goals for treatment and treatment options, including hospice care when appropriate.

(8) Comprehensively managing pain and symptoms.

As added by P.L.44-2020, SEC.3.