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Patient Self-Determination Policy
PATIENT SELFDETERMINATION
POLICY
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Hospice of Charles County will inform patients about their right to make an informed decision regarding their medical care and will protect and promote the exercise of these rights. No patient will be denied care based on the presence or absence of an advanced directive.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA-90) includes a requirement for health care providers to assure patients' participation in decisions that affect their care. The law requires that the following information be provided at the time of admission:
1. Hospice's written policy concerning advanced directives. 2. Written information concerning the relevant state law on "living wills", including durable powers of attorney. 3. Inquiry of whether an adult patient has formulated an advance directive and documentation of patient's response. 4. A copy of patient's bill of rights which includes the patient's right to accept or refuse medical treatment and the right to make advance directives.
PROCEDURE
1. On the first visit to a patient, the health care professional (RN or Social Worker) will inquire as to whether or not the patient has an advance directive. 2. The health care professional will also inquire if a living will or durable power of attorney has been executed. 3. If the patient is incapacitated, this information will be obtained from the primary caregiver. 4. The patient's, or primary caregiver's, response will then be documented on the patient/family teaching check list, and a copy will be left in the patient's home teaching book. 5. If patient has made an advance directive, the health care professional will request a copy for our records. If this is not possible, the health care professional will document the contents on the admission note. 6. All patients will receive a copy of the Patient's Bill of Rights, an information sheet entitled "Legal Rights of Marylanders to Decide About Future Medical Treatments" and a copy of our Patient Self Determination Act Policy. 7. For additional information outside the knowledge of the RN and/or Social Worker, the patient will be instructed to contact: Maryland State Attorney General's Office 200 St. Paul Place Baltimore, MD 21202 410-576-6300 8. All health care providers will attend an in-service of Advance Directives and patient's rights, and new employees will be in serviced during their orientation.
TOTHE PATIENT AND FAMILY....
As a part of your decision to be cared for by a Hospice Program, you have the right to decide whether you wish to be resuscitated.
In order to ensure that your wishes are carried out even in an emergency, the State of Maryland has developed a system under which you can declare your wishes in case of the need for life-sustaining treatment.
The Maryland Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) form which is included in this packet includes medical orders for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and other medical personnel regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other life-sustaining treatment options in the patient’s medical record.
