Pacific Surgery Center Policy
Advance Directives
Rights of Patients
Effective Date: 5/9/2013 - current
Last Revision Date: 4/29/2009
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to provide an atmosphere of respect and caring and to ensure that
each patient’s ability and right to participate in medical decision making is maximized and not
compromised as a result of admission for care through Pacific Surgery Center. Additionally, the
purpose of this policy is to assure compliance with the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) in
such a manner as to expand the patient, personnel and community knowledge base regarding
advance directives and the process by which patient participation in medical decision making is
carried out at this facility.
Policy:
It is the policy of Pacific Surgery Center to respect patient self-determination as stated in the
above purpose. Surgery and procedures done at Pacific Surgery are elective procedures and
have a short duration, therefore, if necessary, Pacific Surgery Center staff and providers will
always attempt to resuscitate a patient and then transfer that patient to a hospital in the event
of deterioration.
Procedure:
• Prior to care at Pacific Surgery Center, all patients and/or their surrogates will be informed of
this policy. Acknowledgment of receipt of this policy will be documented in the medical record.
If the patient presents with an advance directive, a copy of the Advance Directive will be placed
in the patient’s chart. If the patient/surrogate requests, an official state advance directive form
will be made available.
• In the event of a transfer of the patient to another facility, every effort will be made to send a
copy of the Advance Directive to that facility.
• The administrator of Pacific Surgery Center shall periodically monitor the legal status of
Advance Medical Directives and will track State and Federal Regulations as they are modified.
05/09/2013
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