Advance care planning and quality improvement

Abstract

Ensuring that people's future medical treatment choices are respected (advance care planning) enhances quality of care, which is an integral component of quality improvement. Research has demonstrated that a system-wide approach to advance care planning can result in an increased uptake of advance care plans and ensures that the process can be incorporated into quality improvement activities. Specific and practical quality improvement activities related to advance care planning can enhance a system-wide approach and ensure that demonstrable benefits to quality and care occur.