|
|
| December 21, 2010 | Volume 2, Number 4 |
|
|
|
 National POLST News
Revised Fast Facts on POLST to be Published
The End of Life/Palliative Education Resource Center (EPERC) of the Medical College of Wisconsin produces fact sheets on a variety of end-of-life and palliative care topics. California was asked to take the lead on updating the National POLST Paradigm Initiative Fact Sheet, which will also be published in the February issue of the Journal of Palliative Medicine.
Medicare Coverage for Voluntary Advance Care Planning CMS announced that effective January 1, 2011, both the first annual wellness visit and subsequent annual wellness visits for Medicare beneficiaries will include voluntary advance care planning. The physician payment final rule was published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2010 (see page 238).
National Health Priorities to Include End of Life In a recent letter, American Hospital Association President and CEO, Rich Umbdenstock, provided input into Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius' first national set of strategic priorities for health care quality. The fourth suggested priority on the list is "Greater Self-Determination in End-of-Life Care" and references POLST as an effective tool to help providers know and honor patient wishes. National POLST Paradigm Conference 2012 Save the date for the National POLST Paradigm Conference to be held in Southern California on February 16, 2012. The educational conference will bring together leaders from states that are working on POLST implementation as well as those working on developing POLST programs. California is excited to be the host state for this high-profile event! |
|
California POLST Form
Revised POLST Form Effective April 1, 2011
Proposed changes to California's POLST form were approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority Commission in December. The revised California POLST Form will go into effect April 1, 2011. Previous versions of signed POLST forms remain valid. More information about the planned rollout of the new form, as well as educational resources will be available on the California POLST website in early 2011.
POLST Form Available in Braille
The California POLST Form is now available in Braille. Translation of the form was made possible by Sacramento Braille Transcribers, Inc. CCCC is pleased to make copies available for use with patients with vision impairment. Click here to request a copy.
|
|
POLST in Action
CHCF Funding Supports Statewide and Local POLST Efforts
The California HealthCare Foundation has committed an additional $1.14 million in 2011 and 2012 to promote POLST at the state and local levels. Eleven coalitions have been selected to receive two-year grants and other coalitions may access an Expense Reimbursement Fund to support their local POLST efforts. Statewide quality improvement efforts will also be intensified, and a feasibility study for a regional POLST registry will be completed in 2011.
Position Announcement: Seeking Two Part-Time POLST Liaisons
Two part-time Regional POLST Liaisons will be hired in the LA and San Francisco areas to complement POLST efforts in those regions. The application deadline is January 21, 2011 and the positions will be filled in February 2011. The learn more or to apply, click here.
POLST Data Now Collected on MDS 3.0
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0, the resident assessment form used in nursing homes, now includes questions about POLST form usage. MDS 3.0 Section S, a state-specific section of the form, asks whether the resident has a POLST form, and what choices are indicated on the POLST form. Two All Facilities Letters have been issued by the California Department of Public Health to provide guidance to nursing homes about completing the questions.
|
|
POLST Education
Training in the POLST Conversation
POLST: It Starts with a Conversation,CCCC's two-day train-the-trainer course provides opportunities for health care providers to develop skills for facilitating meaningful conversations with patients and their families about POLST. Pre-registration is required and space is limited.
2011 Dates:
· March 1-2, 2011, Sutter Health, Sacramento, CA - REGISTER NOW
· September 15-16, 2011, Southern California TBD
|
|
POLST Resources
Educational Materials Now Available for Purchase
Many POLST resources are now available for purchase from our online store, including:
 | | POLST Consumer Guide |
 | | POLST Provider Guide |
 | | CPR/DNR: Guide for Decision-Making |
 | | Tube Feeding: Guide for Decision-Making |
 | | POLST at Work in California DVD |
|
|
POLST in the News
Recent Articles about POLST and Advance Care Planning
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletters are available at www.caPOLST.org in PDF format for anyone who is having trouble reading this email version.
The Coalition for Compassionate Care of California (CCCC) is a non-profit, statewide partnership of more than 95 regional and statewide organizations promoting high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care for all Californians. CCCC provides leadership and oversight for POLST activities in California, with support from the California HealthCare Foundation.
|
|
|
