4.27.4 Life Support Systems

The SSW:

1. Or other Cabinet representative informs the hospital personnel of their responsibility to do all that is within their power to sustain a child’s life when a child in OOHC is admitted to the hospital in an emergency and life support systems may be needed; 1 
2. Immediately notifies the parents, the court, and through supervisory channels, the SRA and Director of the Division of Protection and Permanency; 
3. Facilitates transmission of a letter to the hospital administrator, by the most expedient method, containing the following information, if the child is under emergency custody or temporary custody: 
• A confirmation of the Cabinet’s standard of practice to advocate use of life support systems; 
• A certified copy of the custody order; 
4. Facilitates transmission of a letter to the hospital administrator, by the most expedient method, containing the following information, if the child is committed and parental rights have been terminated: 
• A conformation of the Cabinet’s standard of practice to advocate use of life support systems; and 
• A certified copy of the terminated order making a child a ward of the Cabinet; 
5. Completes the following steps regarding a child under voluntary commitment, only if the parent cannot be notified: 
• Sends a letter to the parent in order to confirm the Cabinet’s standard of practice regarding the use life support systems; and 
• Facilitates transmission of a letter to the hospital administrator, by the most expedient method containing the following information: 
• A confirmation of the Cabinet’s standard of practice to advocate the use of life support systems; 
• A certified copy of the voluntary commitment order; and 
• A notarized statement documenting the Cabinet’s efforts to locate the parent.