Download CheckPoint: Patient Self-Determination Act

CheckPoint: Patient Self-Determination Act
Discuss, in 250 to 300 words, the effect of the Patient Self-Determination Act on
health care delivery. Consider how you think records management procedures
have had to respond to this piece of legislation.
In accordance with Federal Law, the Patient Self- Determination Act provides every
competent adult and emancipated minor to be informed that he or she has the right to
make his or her own decisions, including the right to decide what medical care or
treatment to accept, reject, or discontinue.
The effect of the Patient Self-Determination Act has given each patient the right to
choose what he or she believes what is best for him or her. Advance directives protect his
or her right when making a decision. The act also protects the health care institutions
when the agency has to decide what is best for the patient.
Advance directives are:
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, in case the patient becomes mentally
incapacitated. A draft for a durable power of attorney will be written. This is a document
appointing an agent to act for an individual in the event of incompetence and take effect
immediately. The agency can not make the decision for the patient unless he or is can not
make the decision.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, the patient request not to be given CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if the patient heart stop or stop breathing.
Living Will, a legal document explaining the medical treatments or life support
treatments he or she wants in case the patient becomes terminally ill.
Organ or Tissue Donor, the patient has authorized the hospital to remove organs and
tissues. Medical suitability for donation is determined at the time of death.
The Law of Advance Directives Legal Documents Can Ease End-of-Life
Decisions by Karen Markus
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v8n1/advancedirectives.html