Understanding a patient’s desired goals of care is important for care, particularly when a patient has a condition that has an increased risk of significant destabilization.  Ideally, patients have discussed them in an outpatient setting beforehand. General domains of care to review with all patients with regards to this should include resuscitation measures such as chest compression and intubation, life support measures such as mechanical ventilation, life sustaining measures such as antibiotics and transfer of care to intensive care units. The other measures above may be discussed on an individual basis depending on the admitting issue, but may not be applicable.

For an example of a goals of care designation form from Alberta, use the following link

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/frm-103547.pdf

Card: Palliative Care MC 001