RNSG 2432 SCHA Core Mandatory Part I1.

Core Mandatories Part I



Advance Healthcare Directives ........................................ ACP: 1
Age Specific: Patient Care Concerns .............................. AS: 1
Body Mechanics / Ergonomics ........................................ BM: 1
Cultural Competency ........................................................... .CD: 1
Environmental Safety .......................................................... ES: 1
Ethics .......................................................................................... E: 1
Fire Safety................................................................................. FS: 1




© Copyright Clinical Assessments by Prophecy, a Division of Advanced Practice Strategies, Inc.

,© Copyright Clinical Assessments by Prophecy, a Division of Advanced Practice Strategies

, AD: 1



Advance Healthcare Directives

INTRODUCTION
With today’s advanced medical technology and new drug therapies, it is important for individuals to
plan for future decision-making as it relates to their medical care. Unexpected health issues can make it
difficult or impossible for some people to make important decisions regarding their care at the time they
need it.

Advance healthcare directives (AHDs) are legal documents that address these decisions. As a healthcare
worker, you should be aware of what these documents mean and how they may affect the care you
deliver.

Being familiar with AHDs is also an important part of lowering medical costs. Studies show that almost
one-third of all Medicare spending is done in the last weeks or months of a person’s life, and many of
these expenses are for patients without any type of AHD in place.

Increasing awareness and education surrounding AHDs can lead to positive impacts on the economic,
moral, and ethical issues related to end-of-life care.



PURPOSE/OVERALL GOAL
This module explains what providers need to know about advance healthcare directives (AHDs),
including what can be included in them and their benefits and importance.

The goal of this module is to help you as a healthcare worker explain AHD options to patients if the
opportunity presents, and to know the fact about AHD provisions so you can help implement them if
necessary.



COURSE OBJECTIVES
After completing this module, the learner should be able to:
1. Describe the purpose of advance healthcare directives (AHDs)
2. Define what AHDs commonly cover
3. Describe the provider’s role in implementing an AHD
4. Explain the barriers to an AHD
5. Describe important considerations related to AHDs

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ABOUT ADVANCE HEALTHCARE DIRECTIVES
Many people plan and prepare for many major life events, but few plan for unexpected medical events
or health issues if they become very ill, such as:
 The type and length of treatment they wish to receive
 Artificial pulmonary support (ventilator use)
 The administration of chemotherapy and/or immunosuppressants
 Organ transplantation
 Nutrition and hydration
 And more

Addressing these issues when healthy can help family members and healthcare providers understand
the wishes of patients in the event they become incapacitated when injured or ill.

The National Institute on Aging states that advance care planning involves:
 Learning about the types of care-related decisions that might need to be made
 Considering those decisions ahead of time
 Letting others know your preferences, often by putting them into an advance healthcare
directive (AHD)

Such decisions are based on each person’s:
 Personal values
 Preferences
 Discussions with loved ones