Advanced directives This is a special type of consent that communicates how an individual wants to be treated or not if they are not able to communicate on their own behalf. Once this is done it becomes part of the individual’s health record. There are three types of Advance directives. The next few slides will show these three along with example forms that are filled out. As a reminder each state has their own forms that need to be filled out, not every state has the same guidelines so make sure to pay attention when picking your forms.

Durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions (DPOa-HCD) Durable power of attorney healthcare decisions is for when an individual is able to make healthcare decisions, but chooses another person to make their healthcare decisions when they are no longer competent to make medical decision.

Living Will This is a legal document that is used to express what an individual would like as far as treatment if they become incapacited and can no longer communicate their own wishes for treatment. This typically for extraordinary life-saving measures. Some of the measures could be Ventilator support or the continuation or removal of it. Also it relates to whether the individual would like nutrition or hydration ie, feeling tubes or IV solution.

Do not resuscitate order DNR This is mainly used by the Elderly or those who’s health is critically ill. Health care providers are directed by this order to refrain from performing CPR should an individual experience cardiac or respiratory distress. This order should be signed by the patient and the physician and placed in the patients health record. Without this order the staff and physician will do anything necessary to keep the patient alive even though the patient may not want the steps taken to save their life.