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SHD is working with the California Coalition for Compassionate Care to establish
POLST
(Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) as a community standard in California. The POLST
form compliments an advance directive by turning a patient's wishes into actionable medical
orders. Developed in Oregon in the early 90s to better communicate the wishes of seriously
ill patients regarding their medical treatment, POLST is now being used in 11 other states.
Seven California communities are piloting the POLST program during 2008, including coalitions in
Alameda, Humboldt, Mendocino, Riverside, Santa Clara, Ventura and Yolo counties. The Coalition has
contracted with SHD to develop a white paper by the end of the year that summarizes the work of these
7 coalitions and offers models for other interested communities.
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POLST form
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Organizations now can order online SHD′s popular discussion-starter booklets, Finding
Your Way and Mrs. Lee′s Story. Visit SHD′s
Publications page to check out this new service. Ordering options include:
- Complete order form online; purchase by credit card via PayPal.
- Complete order form online; print and mail with check or fax with purchase order number.
Finding Your Way encourages early family discussions and helps patients and their loved ones consider difficult
decisions about end-of-life medical treatment (also available in Spanish). Mrs. Lee′s Story
provides basic information in Chinese and English about advance directives, pain management and
hospice care.
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SHD′s Partners in Caring seminar for faith leaders on end-of-life care will be
held on May 15. This one-day program taught by physicians enhances the skills of faith
leaders in supporting congregants at life′s end. Attendees will learn:
- important concepts in setting goals for care near the end of life
- legal issues around life-sustaining treatment and advance directives
- information about the management of pain, including myths and misconceptions
- how to partner with the medical team to address issues around suffering
- how to facilitate communication and be present with the dying
To be added to the mailing list for a registration flyer, contact
Kathy Glasmire at SHD.
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Comments from past attendees:
"Amazingly dedicated, skilled, articulate, professional speakers."
"Appreciated speakers′ awareness of differences in faith and beliefs
of patients."
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The Compassionate Care Alliance and CHW will sponsor a Respecting Choices class on March 4 and 5
at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. This nationally-recognized, two-day course prepares healthcare
professionals to facilitate advance care planning conversations with patients and families. The program
is designed for nurses, case managers, social workers, chaplains from acute or long-term care settings,
parish nurses and health ministers. CE/CME available.
For a brochure and registration form, click here.
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Mark your calendar:
March 4-5, 2008
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SHD offers several ways for area busineses, agencies and state departments to bring information
about medical decision-making and end-of-life issues to employees in the workplace:
- Medical Decisions When They Count Most - "lunch and learn" seminar that
gives employees information about advance directives, ideas for talking with family members and
things to consider when choosing a healthcare spokesperson.
- Informational session for Employee Assistance Program staff on advance directives and
end-of-life issues (includes resource binder).
- Six-part Decisions articles for inclusion in company newsletter.
For information, contact
Kathy Glasmire at SHD.
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DMV Employee Health Fair
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