Advance Directives: How to make sure your end-of-life decisions are followed

Advance Directives: How to make sure your end-of-life decisions are followed 
Bottom Line Inc; by Mathew D. Pauley, JD; 10/24/24 
Nearly 40% of older Americans have some form of advance directives, such as a living will to communicate wishes about life-saving treatment…or a medical power of attorney appointing a loved one as proxy if they’re incapacitated.  Problem: Your wishes may not always be followed in real-world situations. Examples: Emergency paramedics typically provide CPR to restart a patient’s heart even if that patient’s living will says otherwise. And complex medical circumstances at the end of life often arise that force your loved ones to make judgment calls about what you really want. Bottom Line Personal spoke to clinical ethicist Mathew Pauley about how to make sure hospitals, medical providers and family members follow your medical wishes.

• Talk to your doctor about your wishes regarding end-of-life care ...
• Discuss your values and preferences with your healthcare proxy ...
• Bring your POLST form and advanced directives whenever you change doctors or go to a hospital ...

Editor's note: What systems, Policies and Procedures, staff training, and quality evaluations do you regularly use to ensure that patients' advance directives are followed?