Patient Self-Determination

Patient Self-Determination Act

HCR/210
September 24, 2010
Vivian Rice

Patient Self-Determination Act
The effect of the Patient Self-Determination Act on health care delivery is that it gives the patient the chance to choose how or if they will be kept alive in case of terminal illness or during a risky procedure. The patient will put in writing how they want to be kept alive and what measures to use to keep them alive in the case there is not a “reasonable hope of recovery” (Thomson Delmar Learning, ND), if they do not want any life saving measures to be taken then this will also be in writing. This legal document is to be followed by all medical personal even if they do not believe in the advanced directives the patient has choose and since it is a legal document the family has to follow the patients written wishes and can not stop the medical personal from caring them out.
Records management procedures have to respond to this legislation by making sure that any of the advance directives such as, do not resuscitate order (DNR), durable power of attorney for health care, health care proxy, living will and organ or tissue donation, are secured and visible in the front of the patient chart for all medical personal to see when the chart is opened, they can be written on the front of the chart for all medical personal to see when they receive the chart. The patient has the right to refuse any advanced directives, if they choose not to have any this must also be in writing.

References
Thomson Delmar Learning,

References: Thomson Delmar Learning, (ND).