Voice Thread

My topic of interest has been the “ Physician's Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment” (POLST) form which is a healthcare advance directive that became a law in California on January 1, 2009. The law requires all healthcare providers caring for patients with documented end-of-life care wishes must honored  them. My main focus regarding the POLST has been on teaching nursing students or healthcare providers how to communicate to patients and their families the advantages of having this document not only for the individual that has it, but for healthcare providers as well. This document has several advantages, however the most significant one is that this document allows an individual to make important end-of- life decisions for themself instead of leaving the decision making up to the family, surragate or significant other.