Implementation of Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment in nursing homes in California: evaluation of a novel statewide dissemination mechanism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Implementing Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms aims to improve communication of life-sustaining treatment preferences across care venues. California enabled this clinical tool in 2009, and a novel intervention of community coalitions was undertaken to advance POLST in localities around the state. Coalitions engaged facilities, including nursing homes (NHs), to foster POLST adoption. Eighteen months after introduction of POLST, we studied POLST implementation in California NHs.

Methods

NHs randomly selected in coalition and non-coalition areas were mailed surveys about POLST preparation and use in 2010. Coalitions identified which NHs they worked with.

Results

Of 546 NHs surveyed, 143 (52 %) in coalition areas and 141 (52 %) in non

SUBMITTER: Wenger NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3539039 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature