§ 31-7-16 - Determination or pronouncement of death of patient who died in facility classified as nursing home
O.C.G.A. 31-7-16 (2010)
31-7-16. Determination or pronouncement of death of patient who died in facility classified as nursing home
When a patient dies in any facility classified as a nursing home by the department and operating under a permit issued by the department, a physician assistant or a registered professional nurse licensed in this state and employed by such nursing home at the time of apparent death of such person, in the absence of a physician, may make the determination and pronouncement of the death of said patient; provided, however, that, when said patient is a registered organ donor, only a physician may make the determination or pronouncement of death; provided, further, that when it appears that a patient died from other than natural causes, only a physician may make the determination or pronouncement of death. Such determination or pronouncement shall be made in writing on a form approved by the department.