As a health care manager, you may have the opportunity to interact with patients who are faced with making decisions about advance care planning, for themselves, or a loved one.
For this assignment, you will define and describe the various forms of advance care planning available to most patients.
- Using a table or similar organized layout in a Word document, create a handout for your patients.
- Include a minimum of four types of advance care planning in your handout.
- For each type: include the name, definition/description, how qualification is determined, important facts, and any other details you determine necessary (for example, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement).
- Include a minimum of two scholarly sources on a separate reference page; APA format should be followed throughout.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Advance care planning is a crucial aspect of healthcare that involves making decisions regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care. As a healthcare manager, it is important to understand the different forms of advance care planning available to patients and educate them on the options. In this assignment, we will define and describe the various forms of advance care planning and create a handout that includes important information for patients.
Answer:
The various forms of advance care planning available to patients include the following:
1. Living Will: A living will is a legal document that specifies the medical treatments a patient wants or does not want if they become incapacitated or unable to make their own decisions. Qualification for a living will is determined by the patient’s state of residence. Important facts about living wills include that they are only effective once a patient is unable to communicate their decisions and may not address all possible medical scenarios.
2. Medical Power of Attorney: A medical power of attorney is a legal document that designates an individual to make healthcare decisions on behalf of a patient if they become incapacitated. Qualification for a medical power of attorney is determined by the patient’s state of residence. Important facts about medical power of attorney include that it can be revoked if the patient is still capable of making their own decisions and that the designated person should be someone the patient trusts.
3. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order instructs healthcare providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the patient’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing. Qualification for a DNR order is typically determined by a patient’s physician. Important facts about DNR orders include that they do not affect other treatments or procedures, and patients may still receive other medical care.
4. Hospice Care: Hospice care provides medical and support services for patients who are terminally ill and no longer seeking curative treatment. Qualification for hospice care is determined by a hospice provider and usually requires a doctor’s referral. Important facts about hospice care include that it prioritizes comfort and quality of life over treatment, and it is covered by Medicare and Medicaid, among other insurance plans.
References:
1. American Bar Association. (2020). Living wills, health care proxies, and advance health care directives. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/living_wills_health_care_proxies_advance_health_care_directives/
2. National Institute on Aging. (2021). Advance care planning. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning
