LVHN is now proudly part of Jefferson Health
La Lehigh Valley Health Network se enorgullece en ser ahora parte de Jefferson Health.
Proudly Part of Jefferson Health
Documenting and discussing your wishes can make tough health care decisions easier
It seems like we’re always planning.
We plan vacations, meals, finances, careers, college education and a whole lot more. But what about planning for our health care?
Good health is our most prized possession, yet two out of three Americans don’t have an advance directive. An advance care plan ensures your care is consistent with your values and preferences should you become seriously ill or injured and cannot speak for yourself.
The National Institute on Aging says that people incorrectly guessed nearly one out of three end-of-life decisions for their loved one. Research shows that you are more likely to receive the care you want if you have early conversations about your medical treatment and put a plan in place. It may also help your loved ones grieve more easily and feel less burden, guilt and depression, they say.
“Whether you’re 25, 55 or 85, having an advance care plan makes sense,” says Katie Best, Director, OACIS and Palliative Care, Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). “It lays out what you want in terms of care and who you want making decisions for you if you can’t make those decisions yourself.”
Kathryn Zaffiri, clinical quality specialist with LVHN, says having an advance care plan should be as routine as having car or life insurance. “Conversations about care for a critically ill or injured person can be difficult if the patient’s wishes aren’t known,” Zaffiri says. “An advance care plan takes away ambiguity. Those you designate and trust to make health care decisions for you know they are doing exactly what you would want.”
Jennifer Allen, MD, Division Chief of OACIS/Palliative Medicine, LVHN, says making an advance care plan is easy, doesn’t require a lawyer and can easily be made part of your patient information on your MyLVHN patient care portal. There’s no legal requirement in Pennsylvania to use an attorney for your directive, but you may choose to consult with one.
“Before you investigate what type of advance directive is right for you, the first and most important job is to have a meaningful conversation with your loved ones, those who will be making decisions on your behalf if that becomes necessary,” Best says. “Setting that foundation is essential.”
There are several types of advance care plans, or directives.
Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) – This is a written document in which you appoint another to serve as your agent and to make health care decisions. The HCPOA states when and what decisions an agent may make, as well as the patient’s preferences and values that guide decision making.
Living Will – This advance directive is a document that lets physicians and other people state your wishes for end-of-life medical treatment, should you become unable to communicate your decisions.
Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – This is a voluntary process that translates your goals for care at the end of life into medical orders that follow you across care settings. It’s signed by your clinician and you or your designee. The form accompanies physician orders based on your medical condition and your treatment choices resulting from communication between you or the legal-medical decision-maker and a health care professional.
Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive – With this downloadable form, you can name a medical decision maker, select health care choices or both.
LVHN’s advance care planning page has all the resources you need to get started, including a link to the Pennsylvania Advance Health Care Directive form and instructions.
Put it on the record. There is an advance care planning dashboard within MyLVHN, a place where you can access resources and education on advance care planning, document your wishes, upload your documents and name their decision makers.
There are two ways you can ensure your advance care planning documents are available within LVHN’s medical record.
Here are instructions on how to access and use the dashboard.
Legally recognized. An advance directive is legally recognized but not legally binding. This means that your health care team and proxy will do their best to respect your advance directives and will use your documented wishes and previous conversations to help guide decision making regarding your health care.
Review. Any directive you create should be reviewed annually because circumstances can change. Update it after major life events such as retirement, moving to another state or a significant health change.
Other orders. There may be situations not covered in your advance care plan that you may want to address in a separate document, such as a do not resuscitate (inpatient or out of hospital) or do not intubate order.
