Georgia § 31-39-5 - Cancellation of order not to resuscitate.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-39-5 — Cancellation of order not to resuscitate., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-39-5. Cancellation of order not to resuscitate.
An attending physician for whose patient an order not to resuscitate has been issued pursuant to subsection (c), (d), or (e) of Code Section 31-39-4 shall examine that patient at such intervals as determined periodically by the physician to determine whether the patient still qualifies as a candidate for nonresuscitation, unless that order has been canceled or consent thereto revoked as provided in this chapter. That physician shall record such determination in the patient's medical chart. Failure to comply with this subsection shall not invalidate that order. If the order not to resuscitate was entered pursuant to subsection (c), (d), or (e) of Code Section 31-39-4 and the attending physician who issued the order or, if that attending physician is unavailable, another attending physician, at any time determines that the patient no longer qualifies as a candidate for nonresuscitation, the attending physician or the physician's designee shall immediately include such determination in the patient's chart, cancel the order, and notify the patient, the person who consented to the order, and all health care facility staff responsible for the patient's care of the cancellation. If an order not to resuscitate was entered pursuant to subsection (c), (d), or (e) of Code Section 31-39-4 and the patient at any time regains decision-making capacity, the attending physician who issued the order or, if that attending physician is unavailable, another attending physician, shall immediately determine if the patient consents to the order not to resuscitate and, if the patient does not so consent, the attending physician or the physician's designee shall cancel the order by an appropriate entry on the record and notify all health care facility staff responsible for the patient's care of the cancellation. (Code 1981, § 31-39-5 , enacted by Ga. L. 1991, p. 1853, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 672, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 722, § 2.2.)
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 31-39-5
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-39-5 cover?
Section 31-39-5 ("Cancellation of order not to resuscitate.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Georgia § 31-39-5?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-39-5" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Georgia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
How does Georgia § 31-39-5 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.