Advance Care Planning

Many people don’t want CPR. It’s often ineffective and carries the risk of significant injury. It also increases the chance of dying in a chaotic hospital setting. Emergency personnel are required to administer CPR, unless they have a physician’s order that authorizes them to refrain. This is where advance care planning and the POLST come in.

If you’re thinking about becoming an organ donor, consider some things before making the decision.

A living will is an important part of a process known as advance care planning – a process in which you consider the types of health care decisions that may have to be made in the future, and document your preferences.

The healthcare power of attorney authorizes certain individuals to make medical decisions on your behalf, if you can’t do so yourself. Many consider this to be the single most important document in advance care planning.

A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order informs medical staff that you do not want them to use life-saving techniques on you. This means medical caregivers won’t attempt to restart your heart if it stops beating.

The endgame of ACP is for your wishes to be honored by your loved ones and your healthcare providers. The best way to get there is to talk, become known, and share.