Speech Therapy Advanced Directives Policy and Procedure

Purpose

To establish guidelines for managing and honoring patient advanced directives in speech therapy practice, ensuring compliance with state laws and ethical standards.

Policy Statement

This practice respects and honors patients' rights to make informed decisions about their care, including the right to accept or refuse treatment through advanced directives.

Definitions

• Advanced Directive: Legal document outlining patient's wishes for future medical care
• Living Will: Document specifying desired medical treatments in terminal conditions
• Healthcare Proxy: Individual designated to make healthcare decisions when patient is incapacitated

Procedures

1. Documentation Requirements

• Request and maintain copies of advanced directives in patient records
• Document the absence of advanced directives when applicable
• Update records annually or upon patient notification of changes

2. Staff Responsibilities

• Verify existence of advanced directives during initial assessment
• Review directives' impact on speech therapy interventions
• Communicate relevant information to all team members
• Document all discussions regarding advanced directives

3. Implementation Guidelines

• Honor treatment preferences as specified in advanced directives
• Modify treatment plans to align with stated preferences
• Consult healthcare proxy when required
• Maintain continuous communication with medical team

4. Emergency Protocols

• Follow facility emergency procedures
• Reference advanced directives for guidance
• Contact designated healthcare proxy immediately
• Document all actions taken

Compliance

• Annual staff training on advanced directives
• Regular policy review and updates
• Maintenance of all required documentation
• Adherence to state and federal regulations

References

Applicable state laws and regulations American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidelines