Joint Commission Came!

Several weeks ago Joint Commission showed up for the unannounced (yet expected)accreditation survey. We did pretty well with some recommendations, none of which were from "Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual" chapter of the accreditation manual. I think we were lucky on that one because we struggle to get the advance directive piece right. I am a big proponent of folks executing advance directives, particularly health care proxies (a.k.a."durable power of attorney for health care" in some states). This IS NOT a matter only for the elderly. Anyone over 18 ought to designate someone they trust, and with whom they have discussed health care wishes, to make medical decisions for them in the event they lose capacity to make their own decisions. One never knows when a traumatic injury will occur. Having someone make decisions on your behalf will go a long way to keeping your case out of the ethics committee and the legal system. Hospitals and other health care facilities have the forms used in your state. GIT'R'DONE!