7 Things to Know About Advance Directives for Your Patients

Posted on

Apr 06, 2021

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The most effective strategy for identifying what your advanced illness patients want near the end of life is to have goals-of-care conversations early, regularly and matter-of-factly.
VITAS can help. So can these seven key points about advance directives, the written documents that outline a person's healthcare preferences:

Everyone over 18 should have advance directives.The most common types of advance directives include a living will, durable/medical power of attorney for healthcare decisions, Five Wishes document, and Physician/Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatmentdocument.
Advance directives give patients controlof their medical care if they cant speak for themselves.
Advance directives are billable.Medicare reimburses youup to $86 to discuss end-of-life care with patients.
The conversation is easier when the patient is healthy and alert.Ideally, families should be involved in the conversation to explore values, preferences and goals for care.
Advance directives can be modified over time.
Your patients are waiting for you to start the conversation.Ninety-two percent of people surveyed indicated they would be at least somewhat comfortable talking with a doctor or health care provider about their end-of-life medical wishes, including two-thirds (66%) who say theyd be very comfortable.
People who document their healthcare preferences in an advance directive are more likely to get the care they prefer at the end of life.

Submitted and Written By: VITAS Healthcare - click here for more information

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