U.S. Clinicians Fail to Follow Advance Directives

Today's Sarasota Herald Tribune reports that a recent lawsuit for failure to follow an advance directive is not unique.  Over the past three years, regulators have cited 15 Florida nursing homes for failure to honor advance directives.  

But both the frequency and severity of regulatory enforcement is insufficient to motivate better policies and procedures.  Earlier this year, I outlined a broader range of legal sanctions that should motivate better compliance with advance directives.  

The Hallada v. Lakeland case is one instance of increased enforcement of patient rights at the end of life.  [UPDATE] Last week, the 10th Judicial Circuit Court is presently considering the denied the defendants healthcare facilities' motion to dismiss several claims for damages and granted only their motion to dismiss a claim for injunctive relief.