Review the following policy and procedure: Online Bookmark Title of Policy Rights and Ethics (RI) Alternative Communication Advance Directives Many are uncomfortable discussing terminal illness, but since patients/clients can be kept alive indefinitely with artificial life sustaining procedures, the patient/client must be educated regarding their right to express, in writing, treatment choices if they become seriously ill or unable to communicate. This is the law. It is required that the patient/client be informed about Advance Directives during the admission process. In the event the patient/client has a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, the admitting nurse should make every attempt to obtain a copy for the Agency record. It is also helpful, if the patient/client has a medical power of attorney, for the Agency to have the name and phone number of that individual. A list of the DNR patients/clients should be readily available in the on-call book. Review the following policy and procedure: Online Bookmark Title of Policy Rights and Ethics (RI) Advance Directives Patient/Client Rights and Responsibilities At admission, the patient/client receives verbal and written information regarding their rights and responsibilities in a language and manner the individual understands. It is the responsibility of all clinical staff to adhere to patient/client rights and provide additional patient/client education as needed. When providing written informational materials to patients/client (including companions), the Agency will provide a Notice of Nondiscrimination and a Notice of Availability of Language Assistance Services and Auxiliary Aids and Services to members of the public (i.e. referral sources and community organizations) as necessary to provide meaningful access for individuals with LEP (including companions with LEP) for effective communication (i.e. publications and communications). These notices will be provided at the time of admission, upon request, and on an annual basis. Please refer to the Patient/Client Acknowledgment of Nondiscrimination Notices located in the Forms section under the Admit Pack and the Clinical labels. The Agency will not discriminate in the provision of services with respect to race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), age, sex (includes, but is not limited to sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; gender identity and sex stereotypes), disability, basis of relationship or association, source of payment or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.
