Advance directive use among patients undergoing high-risk operations.
BACKGROUND
The Patient Self-Determination Act requires that patients entering hospitals be asked if they have an advance directive. This has led to increased awareness of advance directives, yet surgeons have paid little attention to their use among patients undergoing even major surgery. We sought to evaluate the use of advance directives in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy and esophagectomy.


METHODS
Patients undergoing these operations between 1996 and 2001 at a university teaching hospital were identified and reviewed for statement of advance directive, its presence in the chart, and impact on patient care.


RESULTS
A total of 252 patients met inclusion criteria. The number of patients with an advance directive increased, but had little impact on patient care.


CONCLUSIONS
More patients having major surgery have advance directives, but the number present in the medical record remains low. Further attention to advance directives would foster increased communication between surgeons and patients and extend patient autonomy.
Yang
Anthony D
AD
Division of Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, 201 E. Huron St., Galter Pavilion 10-105, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Bentrem
David J
DJ
Pappas
Sam G
SG
Amundsen
Elizabeth
E
Ward
James E
JE
Ujiki
Michael B
MB
Angelos
Peter
P
D016223:Advance Directives; D001130:Arizona; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016577:Pancreaticoduodenectomy; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies