Advance Directives: Ensuring Compliance with CMS 2025 (W5032)-Advance Directives Ensuring Compliance with CMS 2025 Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The Georgia Hospital Association hosted a detailed webinar on advanced directives and compliance with CMS regulations for 2025, led by Laura Dixon, an expert in risk management and patient safety. The session highlighted the importance of advanced directives—such as living wills, durable power of attorney, and DNR orders—in respecting patient autonomy at end of life, particularly when patients become incapacitated. Despite two-thirds of adults lacking formal directives, these legal tools guide healthcare decisions and prevent conflict among family members.<br /><br />Key legal precedents—including the landmark Quinlan and Cruzon cases—establish patients' rights to refuse life-sustaining treatment. Garland examples illustrated challenges when directives are unclear, disregarded, or absent, leading to traumatic experiences for families and potential legal liabilities for providers. The Patient Self-Determination Act requires healthcare facilities to inform patients of their rights and document advanced directives, ensuring compliance with state and federal law as well as CMS conditions of participation.<br /><br />The webinar emphasized effective communication: physicians must discuss goals of care and treatment options clearly, with Medicare reimbursing such consultations. Special considerations arise perioperatively, where conflicting professional guidelines exist regarding suspension of DNR orders during surgery; patient autonomy remains central. Facilities must also recognize conscientious objections by healthcare providers without denying patient rights.<br /><br />Resources such as POLST/MOLST forms, ethics committees, and conversation toolkits were recommended to aid complex decision-making. Case studies underscored ethical and legal dilemmas in pediatric and elder care contexts. Ultimately, the session advocated for thorough policy development, staff education, and proactive patient engagement to honor advanced directives and uphold patient-centered care at life’s end.

Keywords

Advanced Directives

CMS Regulations 2025

Patient Autonomy

Living Wills

Durable Power of Attorney

DNR Orders

Patient Self-Determination Act

Quinlan Case

Cruzon Case

POLST/MOLST Forms

End-of-Life Care