Tools available for providers and interdisciplinary teams on ACP and Goals of Care Conversations
The goal of advance care planning and goals of care conversations is to help ensure that people receive medical care that is consistent with their values, goals, and preferences during serious and chronic illness. Check for advance directives with all your patients. Ensuring these forms are complete will help health care professionals across the state provide the right care and it will aid in eliminating some of the moral distress our frontline providers are experiencing.
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COVID-19 presents a multitude of challenges to clinicians. The Colorado Healthcare Ethics Resource Palliative Medicine team has assembled a group of subject matter experts to provide concise, high-yield teaching points on two very pertinent matters: designating a medical decision power of attorney and tips for conversations in serious illness. These presentations are offered to providers with the hope of quickly amplifying existing skills and easing stress in this challenging time.
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conversation guides, decision aids, videos, and abbreviated documents to help providers have conversations.
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The Conversation Project's Being Prepared in the Time of COVID-19 Guide. Worksheet to structure conversations in the time of COVID.
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Vital Talk- tools for having difficult conversations from advance directives to goals of care.
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Center to Advance Palliative Care- videos and scripts to help providers with advance care planning and difficult conversations. Other tools include COVID specific resources, using and billing telehealth, palliative care, and symptom management.
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Ariadne Labs COVID Response Toolkit has short videos and conversation guides for inpatient and outpatient care. Patient resources on being prepared in the time of COVID.
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Shared decision-making tool used by hospitals to consider treatment levels (available in English and Spanish)
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Colorado MDPOA Form (can be filled in and printed)
Additional Tools for Long Term Care Providers
COVID-19 has brought specific treatment questions into focus. Even if advance care planning has been completed by residents in the past, it is time to revisit the conversation to address the current pandemic. It is important that organizations implement measures and proactively review advance care planning with all residents, especially those who are over 60 years old and those with comorbid conditions.
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COVID-19 Presentation to learn advance care planning basics.
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Link to the COVID-19 Treatment Decision Guide. If you go to the hospital and become seriously ill, these are the questions you will likely be asked.
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Remember to take care of yourself: Remembering the Heart in Turbulent times
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Caregiver Support/Info Resources (under older adults)