This paper will have three parts addressing two important pieces of legislation related to the right of individuals to make health care decisions for themselves.
Part I
The Advance Health Care Directive
Locate a copy of an advanced directive (AD) that complies with the laws of the state in which you work. The organization in which you work should have a copy of an advance directive that is given to patients. If not, download your state’s Advance Directives here
Complete the advance directive for yourself. Do not turn in your AD with your paper. The AD is for your personal use.
In your paper, Part I:
Identify where you obtained the AD and explain its compliance with state law.
Conduct research (1-2 sources) to learn more about the AD in your state and explain how it works.
Discuss how easy or difficult it was to complete the AD. Your comments should be specific and both objective and subjective. For example, when you state your personal feelings, you must relate them to the literature (textbook and research) that discusses this process and the difficulties that many people face when completing an advance directive.
(Cite/ reference any sources you use to explore these questions, including your texts.)
Part II
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form
What is a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) formLinks to an external site.
?
When should this form be completed?
Who can complete the form?
Who needs to sign the form to make it a legal document?
(Cite/reference any sources you use to explore these questions, including your texts.)
Part III
- Tie the two first sections together by writing a summary and conclusion.
This section should address:
- 1. the differences between an Advance Health Care Directive and the POLST,
2. the RN’s important role in assuring the patient’s right to autonomy in choosing the healthcare interventions the patient does or does not want.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this assignment, we will explore two important pieces of legislation related to the right of individuals to make healthcare decisions for themselves. The first part focuses on the Advance Health Care Directive (AD), while the second part examines the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. Through research and analysis, we will gain a deeper understanding of these legal documents and their implications for patient autonomy. We will also address the role of a registered nurse (RN) in ensuring that patients’ healthcare choices are respected.
Part I:
The AD is a legal document that allows individuals to specify their healthcare preferences in advance, in case they become incapacitated and are unable to communicate their wishes. To complete this section, you should locate an AD that complies with the laws of the state in which you work. If your organization does not provide a copy, you can download your state’s Advance Directives from the provided link. Please note that you should complete the AD for yourself but not submit it with the paper.
In your paper, you should identify where you obtained the AD and explain its compliance with state law. Additionally, conduct research using 1-2 sources to learn more about the AD in your state and explain how it works. Finally, discuss the ease or difficulty you experienced in completing the AD, providing specific and objective comments backed by literature discussing the challenges individuals face when completing such directives.
Part II:
The POLST form is another legal document that focuses on a patient’s preferences for life-sustaining treatment. To answer the questions in this part, refer to the provided link to learn about the POLST form.
You should explain what the POLST form is and when it should be completed. Additionally, discuss who is eligible to complete the form and who needs to sign it to make it a legal document. Remember to cite and reference any sources used, including your textbooks.
Part III:
In this final section, you will tie the first two parts together by writing a summary and conclusion.
Your summary should address the differences between an Advance Health Care Directive and the POLST form. Consider their purpose, scope, and legal implications. Furthermore, emphasize the important role of an RN in ensuring the patient’s right to autonomy in healthcare decision-making.
Conclusion:
By completing this assignment, you will deepen your understanding of the legal documents that empower individuals to make their healthcare choices known in advance. Additionally, you will recognize the significance of a nurse’s role in upholding patient autonomy. Your comprehensive analysis and research will contribute to your professional growth as a medical college student.
