The Patient Self-Determination Act

The Patient Self-Determination Act

The Patient Self-Determination Act “requires all health-care institutions that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds to provide patients with written information about their right under state law to execute advance directives, but it does not require states to adopt or change any substantive laws.” (Markus, n.d.) This is great for patients and gives them an opportunity to plan even though this can be difficult to think about. It also makes family decisions with. This easier because they don’t have to make the difficult decision, it has already been made.

“A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order can also be part of an advance directive. Hospital staff try to help any patient whose heart has stopped or who has stopped breathing. They do this with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).” (familydoctor, 2021) If a patient in one of these situations can’t make this choice for themselves, it is beneficial to have one of these written up.

“Ethics committees, or similar institutional mechanisms, offer assistance in addressing ethical issues that arise in patient care and facilitate sound decision making that respects participants’ values, concerns, and interests.” (AMA, n.d.) In my hospital we have a team like this that help patients and their families through these difficult times.

All these advanced directives help others follow the patient wishes. In these situations, I have seen people have to make difficult decisions for a family member or friend before. Never is easy, but if a patient plans a head, it can help make it easier.

 

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) was implemented to allow patients to state “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNS), or to assign a surrogate decision maker in the event that the individual is unable to make the decision. What relationship does an ethics committee have in enforcing the advance directives of the patients in their care? Support your analysis with a minimum of one peer-reviewed article.

 

Using 200-300 words APA format with at least two references. Sources must be published within the last 5 years. There should be a mix between research and your reflections. Add critical thinking in the posts along with research. Apply the material in a substantial way.