Agency recognizes the importance of patients participating in planning care and of their right to accept or refuse treatment. Agency will provide all patients with the agency’s advance directives policy before the start of care:
- The agency recognizes that all persons have the fundamental right to make decisions about their own medical treatment. This includes the right to accept or refuse care, treatment or services.
- The agency recognizes that when the patient is not legally responsible, the surrogate decision maker has the right to refuse care, treatment and services on the patient’s behalf.
- Valid advance directive will be followed to the extent permitted and required by law.
- Agency will request from the patient a copy of his/her Advance Directive to ensure Agency staff understands patient wishes.
- In the absence of an advance directive, Agency will provide care according to the Plan of Care established by the physician and in consultation with patient/responsible party.
- Agency will not condition the provision of care or discriminate against the patient based on whether or not an advance directive has been established.
- The patient has the right to revoke or change an advance directive at any time. The patient will need to notify Agency of any changes made.
- If Agency cannot, for any reason, carry out the patient’s advance directive, they will notify the patient/caregiver and, if necessary, assist the patient to find an alternate provider.
- Agency will communicate directive to all staff participating in patient care.
- If Advance Directive does not identify the patient’s wish to withhold resuscitation and there is no physician order to do so, Agency staff will initiate CPR in event of Cardio Pulmonary Arrest.