title: Perceptions about advance directives by nurses in a community hospital.
abstract: Despite the legal mandate for hospitals to comply with the Patient Self-Determination Act and recommendations by the American Nurses' Association for nurses to advocate for the participation of patients in end-of-life decisions, nurses' compliance has been less than enthusiastic. This study used an exploratory descriptive design and a 10-item self-reported questionnaire, which included both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. This study examined nurses' knowledge and comfort with the implementation of the Patient Self-Determination Act. An analysis of this research shows that two major themes emerged: a need for more education involving advance directives and a desire to have other healthcare workers involved in informing patients about advance directives.
authors.affiliation: Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, Ill 60007, USA. ncryan21@aol.com
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Santucci
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gattuso
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Czurylo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016223:Advance Directives; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D019726:Patient Self-Determination Act; D014481:United States