Contributed By:
Amy Kroos, Registered Nurse – OSF Saint Anthony Palliative Care
OSF Care Decisions is an advance care planning program designed and implemented corporately throughout the entire OSF system. The growth and success of OSF Care Decisions over the last five years at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center has made advance care planning a key measurement for the success of the Pioneer Accountable Care Organization Program.
We have facilitators at all OSF Medical Group offices, Rockford Cardiovascular Associates, Illinois Neurological Institute, Center for Cancer Care, Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at OSF HealthCare, OSF Home Health and Hospice and OSF Saint Anthony. In addition to the above, all three of our parish nurses are trained ACP facilitators as well as several Saint Anthony College of Nursing instructors.
Expanding Community Awareness for Supportive Care
In addition to building the program within the OSF network, community awareness and outreach grows. In 2012, an ACP promotion was conducted at the OSF walk-in clinics at Walmart. In both 2012 and 2013, OSF Saint Anthony forged a partnership with the two other hospitals in Rockford to coordinate community presentations and posters for National Health Care Decisions Day.
A newspaper editorial signed by all three Chief Executive Officers endorsing advance care planning was published and also made into a poster for distribution throughout the Rockford Community as well as Twitter and Facebook. This collaboration with Swedish American and Rockford Health System is growing to include a large community outreach planned for October 2013.
Positive Effects of Advance Care Planning
I have seen the positive effects from advance care planning in my daily practice as a palliative care nurse. I work with patients and families that are faced with decisions about life sustaining treatments and goals of care every day.
If a patient is not able to make their own decisions, a surrogate or health care power of attorney is activated and they need to make very difficult decisions for their loved one regarding treatments and procedures.
If the patient has completed their advance care planning and has had discussions with their Power of Attorney for Health Care about their values, beliefs, religious preferences, and wishes regarding end of life care those desires will be known and followed. I see the relief on a family members face when they can say “I know what my mother would want in this situation”. This is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your loved ones.
Supportive Care Event Brings Rockford Hospitals Together
This event will feature the documentary “Crucial Conversations” followed by a panel discussion at the historic Coronado Theater and will be repeated primarily for health care professionals at the University of Illinois Rockford Medical School campus auditorium.
This event will showcase the value of advance care planning and give the community the opportunity to make an appointment with a facilitator from their choice of hospitals. These partnerships have the capability of transforming the entire community of Rockford and are an example of the strong leadership, resources, and advocacy that OSF has invested in this valuable program. We look forward to continuing these efforts in the community for years to come.
I would extend an invitation to the community discussion that will take place on Thursday, October 10th from 7-9 p.m. at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in downtown Rockford. This event is a powerful and inspiring 60-minute documentary examining multiple perspectives on end of life conversations and care.
This thought provoking film includes intimate accounts from patients, family members, doctors, nurses, clergy, social workers and national experts. A question and answer panel will take place after the film with the filmmakers and a panel of local experts.
Please call (815) 971-5050 to register. The cost is $5 and pre-registration is required.
Last Updated: November 6, 2018