End Of Life Decisions Scoring Guide Criteria Non-Performance

End Of Life Decisions Scoring Guidecriteria Non Performance Basic Prof

Write an article for a community newsletter for a local retirement village that explains the laws, policies, and choices surrounding end-of-life health care decisions. By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria: •Explain the effect of health care policies, legislation, and legal issues on health care delivery and patient outcomes. •Identify the primary policies that define current health care practices in regard to end-of-life health care decisions. •Explain the legislation that generated end-of-life health care policies. •Explain the effect of regulatory environments and controls on health care delivery and patient outcomes. •Describe the role of the nurse in end-of-life decision making with patients and their families. •Describe the ethical considerations that have influenced policy decisions in regard to end-of-life decisions. •Write content clearly and logically, with correct use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. •Correctly format citations and references using APA style.

Paper For Above instruction

End-of-life decisions are a critical aspect of healthcare that involve complex legal, ethical, and personal considerations. Nurses play an essential role in guiding patients and their families through these challenging choices, often serving as advocates, educators, and emotional supporters. Understanding the legal frameworks, policies, and ethical principles that inform end-of-life care is vital for healthcare professionals, including nurses, to provide compassionate, patient-centered care that respects individual wishes and legal mandates.

The Role of Nurses in End-of-Life Decision Making

Nurses are uniquely positioned at the bedside, developing close relationships with patients and their families. This proximity enables nurses to assess emotional, spiritual, and physical needs and to facilitate communication about difficult topics such as advance directives, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, and palliative care options. According to Adams, Bailey, Anderson, & Docherty (2011), nurses act as key facilitators in end-of-life discussions, ensuring that patients’ wishes are understood and respected. They also advocate for patients’ rights and provide education about available options and legal rights, thereby empowering patients and families to make informed decisions.

Legislation Influencing End-of-Life Policies

End-of-life care policies have been shaped by various legislative acts that aim to protect patient autonomy and define healthcare providers' responsibilities. A landmark legislation in this area is the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) of 1990, which requires healthcare facilities receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to inform patients about their rights to make advance directives (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 1990). The intent behind such legislation was to honor patient autonomy and prevent unwanted life-sustaining treatments. Additionally, laws such as the Mental Capacity Act in some jurisdictions provide legal structures for making decisions on behalf of patients who lack decision-making capacity.

Primary Policies and Their Impact on Treatment Decisions

Current healthcare practices are governed by policies that emphasize the importance of respecting patients’ advance directives, ensuring informed consent, and promoting palliative and hospice care options. These policies influence treatment decisions by endorsing patient-centered approaches, legally safeguarding individual preferences, and establishing procedures for healthcare providers to follow when patients cannot make decisions themselves (Lund, Richardson, & May, 2015). Consequently, treatment plans often shift from aggressive interventions to comfort-focused care based on expressed wishes or legal directives, ultimately affecting the delivery of ethical and personalized care.

Effects of Regulations and Controls on Patient Outcomes and Nurse-Patient Relationship

End-of-life regulations and controls aim to protect patients' rights while guiding clinicians in ethically and legally appropriate care. These regulations have been associated with improved patient satisfaction, increased utilization of hospice services, and decreased use of unwanted aggressive treatments (Norlander, 2014). For nurses, comprehensive policies facilitate clarity in decision-making and reduce moral distress. However, rigid regulations can sometimes create tension if patients or families feel constrained by legal or institutional protocols, impacting the nurse-patient relationship. Ensuring open communication and respecting individual values are essential for maintaining trust and delivering compassionate care.

Ethical Considerations Influencing Policy Decisions

Decisions surrounding end-of-life care are deeply rooted in ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Respecting patient autonomy—the right to make decisions about one’s own body and care—is a cornerstone of ethical practice and heavily influences policy formulation (Hebert, Moore, & Rooney, 2011). Ethical dilemmas arise when patients’ wishes conflict with families’ interests or when resources are limited. Furthermore, cultural and spiritual values shape perceptions of what constitutes appropriate end-of-life care. Policymakers must balance ethical principles with legal frameworks, often leading to debates about rights, quality of life, and the boundaries of medical intervention.

Conclusion

End-of-life decision-making is a complex interplay of legal statutes, ethical principles, and healthcare policies. Nurses serve a vital role in advocating for patient wishes, facilitating informed choices, and providing compassionate care. Understanding the legal and policy context helps nurses navigate ethical dilemmas and promote care that respects individual values and rights. As healthcare continues to evolve, ongoing education and advocacy are necessary to ensure that policies remain patient-centered and ethically justified, ultimately improving outcomes and honoring the dignity of those at the end of life.

References

• Adams, J. A., Bailey, D. E., Jr., Anderson, R. A., & Docherty, S. L. (2011). Nursing roles and strategies in end-of-life decision making in acute care: A systematic review of the literature. Nursing Research and Practice, 2011.
• Hebert, K., Moore, H., & Rooney, J. (2011). The nurse advocate in end-of-life care. The Ochsner Journal, 11(4), 325–329.
• Lund, S., Richardson, A., & May, C. (2015). Barriers to advance care planning at the end of life: An explanatory systematic review of implementation studies. PLoS One, 10(2).
• Nakano, K., Sato, K., Katayama, H., & Miyashita, M. (2013). Living with pleasure in daily life at the end of life: Recommended care strategy for cancer patients from the perspective of physicians and nurses. Palliative & Supportive Care, 11(5), 405–413.
• Norlander, L. (2014). To comfort always: A nurse's guide to end-of-life care (2nd ed.). Sigma Theta Tau International.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (1990). Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA).
• American Nurses Association. (2010). Position statement: Registered nurses' roles and responsibilities in providing expert care and counseling at the end-of-life ethics and human rights.
• Lewis, K. (2013). How nurses can help ease patient transitions to end of life care. Nursing Older People, 25(8), 22–26.
• Aoun, S., O'Connor, M., Skett, K., Deas, K., & Smith, J. (2012). Do models of care designed for terminally ill 'home alone' people improve their end-of-life experience? A patient perspective. Health & Social Care in the Community, 20(6), 599–606.
• Hickman, S., et al. (2018). Ethical issues in end-of-life care. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(3), 123-129.