Advance Directives, POLST, and Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
Explains how the Agency gives every adult patient written information about the right to make health care decisions and to make an advance directive under Georgia law, records whether the patient has one, follows the patient’s advance directive, do-not-resuscitate order, or POLST form, responds to a cardiac or respiratory arrest, and never conditions care on whether the patient has an advance directive.
About this policy
- Policy number
- GA-HH-PR-02
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- 42 CFR §489.102
- Library
- Georgia home health · 56 policies
- Category
- Client rights
- Sections
- 21
In short
- Before care starts, every adult patient gets written information about their right to make decisions about their care and to make an advance directive.
- Check the patient’s code status (advance directive, DNR order, or POLST form) before every visit. It is on the face sheet and in the care plan.
- Never witness, sign, or help fill in a patient’s advance directive, and never agree to be a patient’s health care agent.
- If a patient stops breathing and has no valid DNR order or POLST form, call 911 and start CPR if you are trained. If unsure, call 911 and start CPR.
- If a patient or family member says they want to cancel a DNR order or advance directive, tell the supervising nurse right away so the doctor can be told.
What's inside
21 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (42 CFR §489.102)
- 5. Giving the Information
- 6. When the Patient Is Incapacitated at the Start of Care
- 7. Georgia Advance Directives: What Staff Need to Know
- 8. Recording and Sharing the Patient’s Choices
- 9. Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in the Home
- 10. POLST Forms
- 11. Response to Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest
- 12. Statement of Limitation and Conscience Objections
- 13. Complaints, Staff Education, and Community Education
- 14. Responsibilities
- 15. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 16. Staff Training
- 17. References
- 18. Related Policies and Forms
- 19. Approval
- 20. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- When do you give patients advance directive information, and where in the record do you document whether the patient has an advance directive?
- Show me your written information on patients’ rights under Georgia law to make decisions about medical care and to make an advance directive.
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