(a) Purpose. These rules are promulgated under the authority of the Medical Practice Act, §157.001, to allow physicians to receive information from Texas licensed vocational nurses through electronic communication for the purpose of making a pronouncement of death. Electronic communication includes, but is not limited to telephone, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail.
(b) Do not resuscitate order. A do not resuscitate (DNR) order must be kept in the patient's file.
(c) Required information. In order to make a pronouncement of death through electronic communication, a physician must receive, at a minimum, the following information regarding the condition of the patient:
  (1) absence of palpable pulse for a minimum of 60 seconds;
  (2) absence of discernible blood pressure for a minimum of 60 seconds;
  (3) absence of evidence of respiration for a minimum of 60 seconds;
  (4) absence of evidence of heartbeat for a minimum of 60 seconds; and
  (5) other information as the physician may require.
(d) Follow-up by physician. If a physician makes a pronouncement of death based on information received pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the physician retains responsibility for all acts related to this pronouncement.

Source Note: The provisions of this §193.18 adopted to be effective November 7, 2013, 38 TexReg 7711