Scripps Expert Says End-of-Life Care Planning Essential

Hospitals would be required to document conversations with admitted patients about their end-of-life care preferences if new rules proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are adopted, according to a recent report by KPBS. 

Scripps Health Medical Director for Palliative Care Vishva Lakshman, MD, told the station that Scripps providers already document discussions they have with patients about these matters and provide them with forms for establishing advance directives, do-not-resuscitate orders and medical power of attorney. 

“Unfortunately, these conversations are not happening early enough,” she said. “Anyone who’s 18 and above should really be having a conversation about what they would want regarding their health and types of treatments that they would want.” 

Read and listen to the KPBS report: New Medicare Rule Could Make End-of-Life Care Conversations More Common, Doctors Say