Utilizing the Huddle for Meaningful Conversations about Goals of Care and Advance Directives

Oftentimes, the conversations that are needed the most to understand patient care goals, especially in the context of serious illness or end of life, are often not talked about. Patients’ goals of care and advance directives tend to happen too late or are avoided. Early discussions about goals of care are associated with better quality of life, can avoid non-beneficial medical care, and more importantly, improve family outcomes. At our hospital in rural Missouri, we proactively communicate goals of care in our regular clinical care processes.