title: Nurses' knowledge and comfort levels using the Physician Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (POLST) form in the progressive care unit.
abstract: Many patients are admitted to the hospital with an active Physician Orders for Life-sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form; however, not all registered nurses (RNs) are familiar with the form or comfortable with initiating a discussion about end-of-life care. Evidence indicates that an education program increases RNs' knowledge and utilization of the POLST form. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to answer the question: among the RNs in a progressive care unit (PCU), does implementing a formal evidence-based practice POLST program compared to current practice increase RNs' knowledge and comfort level using the POLST form? A pre-post education survey was used. Results indicated a POLST education program increased PCU RNs' knowledge and comfort level in using the POLST form. It is recommended to include POLST form education for PCU RNs in workplace education programs.
authors.affiliation: 3 East Progressive Care Unit, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, 5555 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA. Electronic address: nien-hsien.mcgough@sharp.com.
authors.forename: Nancy N H
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: McGough
authors.affiliation: 3 East Progressive Care Unit, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, 5555 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hauschildt
authors.affiliation: 3 East Progressive Care Unit, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, 5555 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA.
authors.forename: Deene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mollon
authors.affiliation: 3 East Progressive Care Unit, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, 5555 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA; School of Nursing, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Willa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fields
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016223:Advance Directives / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004506:Education, Nursing; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009726:Nurses; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011383:Progressive Patient Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: End-of-life; Evidence-based practice; POLST; Progressive care unit