Diestre Ortín Germán, González Sequero Vanessa, Collell Domènech Núria, Pérez López Francisca, Hernando Robles Pablo
Centro Sociosanitario Albada, Corporación Sanitaria Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Institut Universitari Parc Taulí - Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), Campus d'Excelència Internacional, Bellaterrra, Barcelona, España.
Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol. 2013 Sep-Oct;48(5):228-31. doi: 10.1016/j.regg.2013.01.001. Epub 2013 May 3.
Advanced care planning (ACP) helps in make decisions on the health problems of people who have lost the capacity for informed consent. It has proven particularly useful in addressing the end of life. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ACP in patients with severe chronic diseases.
Review of medical records of patients with dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or interstitial lung disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease on dialysis and cancer, all in advanced stages. We collected data on living wills or registered prior decisions by the physician according to clinical planned.
A total of 135 patients were studied. There was a record of ACP in 22 patients (16.3%). In most of them it was planned not to start any vital treatment in the event of high risk of imminent death and lacking the ability to make decisions. Only two patients were had a legal living will.
The registration of ACP is relatively low, and this can affect decision-making in accordance with the personal values of patients when they do not have the capacity to exercise informed consent.