Advance Care Planning Resources for Clinicians
We follow the Respecting Choices evidence-based model for advance care planning (ACP). This three-staged approach is designed to meet the needs of your patients over the course of their lifetime as goals, values and health status change.
This conversation is appropriate for any healthy adult over the age of 18, and for those may have a well-managed chronic illness, but have never prepared an advanced care plan.
Goals include:
- Selecting a qualified healthcare agent(s)
- Discussing goals of care in the event of a severe, permanent brain injury
- Completing a written advance directive
This conversation is for patients with chronic illness who begin progressing (e.g., increased complications, more frequent hospitalizations/clinical encounters and/or a decline in function).
Goals include:
- Assessing the patient's understanding of disease progression and related treatment options
- Discussing what matters most (goals and values)
- Identifying care preferences in bad-outcome situations
This conversation helps elicit, document and honor the treatment preferences of seriously ill or frail individuals. It ensures quality end-of-life planning.
Goals include:
- Assisting in making informed treatment decisions that are consistent with identified goals and values
- Converting those decisions into portable medical orders using the Provider Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) form
Role of ACP facilitators
ACP facilitators are trained to have conversations with your patients and their loved ones regarding preferences for future healthcare decisions. They're available by appointment in La Crosse and at no cost to patients.
Provider Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST)
POST is a system to convert patient preferences for future healthcare into portable medical orders that emergency personnel can follow.
It's appropriate for:
- Individuals with serious illness or advanced frailty nearing the end-of-life
- Patients residing in long-term care facilities
- Individuals of advanced age who want to communicate their wishes for life-sustaining treatment in a medical emergency
The POST form should be completed after an informed, shared decision-making conversation. The patient discusses his/her goals, values, and beliefs while you provide medical information. Together, you reach an informed decision aligned with the patient's values and goals for care.
If you're a Gundersen clinician, POST forms must be ordered through Lawson #22333. Non-Gundersen clinicians are asked to print the POST form double-sided on yellow (canary) cardstock only.
Call MedLink to connect to our Advance Care Planning facilitators.