Advance Directives Patient End-of-Life Decisions

Advance Directives: Patient End-of-Life Decisions Leah L. Markley DeVry University Health Rights and Responsibilities Beth VanOrsdale March 25, 2011 Advance Directives: Patient End-of-Life Decisions Medical technology today has come a long way. Numerous life prolonging procedures are available that can extend a person’s life where once they would have expired. Kidney dialysis, chemotherapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), feeding tubes, intravenous hydration, and ventilators are but a few of these means for extending one’s life. The choice between quantity versus quality of life is complex, and not one that should be left up to chance. In 1990, Congress passed the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA).†¦show more content†¦An example that can be included in a living will can be found in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Caring Connections California Advance Directive (2010) form: END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS: I direct that my health care providers and others involved in my care provide, withhold, or withdraw treatment in accordance with the choice I have marked below: [ ] (a) Choice NOT To Prolong Life I do not want my life to be prolonged if (1) I have an incurable and irreversible condition that will result in my death within a relatively short time, (2) I become unconscious and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, I will not regain consciousness, or (3) the likely risks and burdens of treatment would outweigh the expected benefits. OR [ ] (b) Choice To Prolong Life I want my life to be prolonged as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care standards. Additionally, an individual may designate any specific treatments he or she does or does not wish to have performed. For example, some or all of the following could be included: I [ ]do [ ]do not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). I [ ]do [ ]do not want mechanical respiration (ventilator/respirator). I [ ]do [ ]do not want artificial forms of nutrition or hydration. I [ ]do [ ]do not want any blood or blood products. IShow MoreRelatedPersonal Decisions About Health Care1260 Words   |  6 PagesAdvance Directives What if an individual could no longer make personal decisions about health care? In the event a patient is unable to personally advocate, having an advance directive ensures that end of life care will be carried out as desired and specified. 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