
Healthcare Directives and Code levels are not the same. A Healthcare Directive takes effect if the patient is unable to express their wishes. This is a serious decision which allows the patient to be an active participant in their medical care while they are still able to do so. The Healthcare Directive is a document that states the patient’s medical considerations regarding life sustaining interventions for the future or should they become unresponsive.
Code Levels are determined by the patient’s medical considerations regarding life sustaining intervention.
Admission: When admitted, a physician will initially discuss with the patient what life sustaining treatments are available and what their desire is for these treatments. Below are some points considered when making decisions:
POLST (Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is a physician order that documents and directs the patient’s medical considerations regarding life-sustaining interventions (i.e., Code Level). The POLST is used not only as an agreement between the physician and the patient, but it is used for the present situation as well as for the future. It may be updated and reviewed at any time.
The POLST takes the following into consideration:
Code Levels:
Please feel free to talk openly at any time to any member of your healthcare team.
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