Princeton, W.Va. – Sarah Wikle, MSN, FNP, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for the Compassus Palliative Care program in Princeton, has been recognized for completing more Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) forms in the state of West Virginia than any other APRN in the past year.
In the past year, Wikle has submitted 35 POST forms, which are medical orders signed by a physician or APRN that provide information about patients’ wishes for end-of-life care. These forms, which can be changed or canceled at any time, travel with patients in their medical records from one healthcare setting to another, ensuring their preferences are always honored.
The Compassus Palliative Care team works closely with patients’ physicians to understand their medical diagnoses and prognoses and to align treatment goals with their personal values and preferences.
Discussing end-of-life care preferences enables patients to take control of the type of care they receive and when they receive it. These conversations, known as advance care planning, allow patients to create a roadmap of the medical care they wish to receive in the event they are unable to speak for themselves due to illness or injury.
“My goal is to improve the quality of life for my patients and their families,” said Wikle. “Through advance care planning, patients are empowered to take an active role in their healthcare, making their wishes known so the care they receive meets their personal needs, regardless of their condition.”
These conversations occur in the community wherever the patient calls home, which may include their home, a long-term care facility or an assisted living facility.
“In every community we serve, it is our goal to expand awareness of and improve access to hospice care. We are also able to offer Palliative Care consultations in an expanding number of these communities. Frequently, our Palliative Care consultations enable patients to request and receive care which best aligns with their treatment goals. Educating patients and families about advance care planning is an important step to achieve this,” said Ginger Marshall, senior vice president of national palliative care at Compassus. “Sarah is just one example of the great work our colleagues are doing across the country to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care.”
For more information about the Palliative Care program or other Compassus – Princeton services, visit compassus.com/princeton or call (304) 431-2000.
