The Advance Health Care Directive

Part I

Locate a copy of an advanced directive (AD) that complies with the laws of the state in which you work. The organization in which you work should have a copy of an advance directive that is given to patients. If not, download your state’s Advance Directives ( Florida) here: https://www.caringinfo.org/planning/advance-directives/by-state/

In your paper, Part I:

Identify where you obtained the AD and explain its compliance with state law.
Conduct research (1-2 sources) to learn more about the AD in your state and explain how it works.
Discuss how easy or difficult it was to complete the AD. Your comments should be specific and both objective and subjective. For example, when you state your personal feelings, you must relate them to the literature (textbook and research) that discusses this process and the difficulties that many people face when completing an advance directive.

Part II

Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form -What is a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form ? use link : https://polst.org/

When should this form be completed?
Who can complete the form?
Who needs to sign the form to make it a legal document?

(Cite/reference any sources you use to explore these questions, including your texts.)

Part III

Tie the two first sections together by writing a summary and conclusion.

This section should address:

1. the differences between an Advance Health Care Directive and the POLST,

2. the RN’s important role in assuring the patient’s right to autonomy in choosing the healthcare interventions the patient does or does not want.

3. Cite and reference the course text: Butts, Janie, B. and Karen L. Rich. Nursing Ethics: Across the Curriculum and Into Practice. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, (6th Edition). Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2022.

and at least Use three additional appropriate professional sources.

Sample Answer

Obtaining the AD and its Compliance with State Law

I obtained a copy of the Advance Directive (AD) for the state of Florida from the CaringInfo website. The AD complies with Florida state law by outlining specific instructions regarding an individual’s healthcare preferences in the event they are unable to communicate their wishes.

Research on Florida’s Advance Directive

According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the AD allows individuals to appoint a healthcare surrogate to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. It also allows individuals to specify their desires regarding life-sustaining treatments, organ donation, and other medical preferences. The document must be signed by the individual and witnessed by two individuals to be legally valid.

Ease of Completing the AD

Completing the AD can evoke mixed feelings as it involves contemplating end-of-life decisions. While the process is straightforward, the emotional weight of making decisions about one’s own healthcare future can make it challenging for many individuals. Research indicates that some people may find it difficult to confront their mortality and express their preferences for end-of-life care, leading to delays or avoidance in completing the AD (Butts & Rich, 2022).

Part II: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form

What is a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form?

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form is a medical order that specifies a patient’s preferences for life-sustaining treatments. It is designed to ensure that a patient’s wishes regarding medical interventions are honored across different healthcare settings.

Completion, Signatures, and Legal Validity

The POLST form should be completed when a patient has a serious illness or advanced frailty. It is typically completed by a healthcare provider after a detailed discussion with the patient or their authorized decision-maker. The form requires signatures from both the healthcare provider and the patient or their authorized decision-maker to make it a legal document.

Part III: Summary and Conclusion

1. Differences between an Advance Health Care Directive and POLST:

– An Advance Health Care Directive outlines an individual’s healthcare preferences in various scenarios, including end-of-life care, while the POLST form is a medical order that specifies immediate life-sustaining treatment preferences.

2. RN’s Role in Ensuring Patient Autonomy:

– As advocated in Butts and Rich (2022), nurses play a crucial role in advocating for patient autonomy in decision-making processes. They ensure that patients’ wishes regarding healthcare interventions are respected and communicated effectively across healthcare settings.

In conclusion, both the Advance Health Care Directive and the POLST form serve as essential tools in ensuring that patients’ healthcare preferences are honored. Nurses, as patient advocates, must uphold the principles of patient autonomy and facilitate open discussions about end-of-life care decisions. By understanding and respecting patients’ wishes, nurses can provide compassionate and person-centered care that aligns with ethical principles and legal requirements.

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