My Life, My Way: A Quality Improvement Program to Increase Advance Care Planning in a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Patient Population

Abstract

BackgroundA multilevel quality improvement program was implemented at an urban community hospital, serving a racially and ethnically pluralistic patient population, to increase participation in advance care planning (ACP). MeasuresNumber of eligible patients who completed an ACP form. InterventionProjects were implemented over the course of two years that targeted patients, health care providers, the organization, and the community. OutcomesThe intervention resulted in increased completion of four unique ACP forms. Completion of the Living Will increased by 60%, Health Care Proxy increased by 9%, Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment increased by 5%, and Do-Not-Resuscitate/Do-Not-Intubate orders increased by 3%. ConclusionMultilevel interventions can increase ACP participation in a racially and ethnically pluralistic patient population.