Improved Physician Understanding of Patient End-of-Life Preferences: A Quality Improvement Project

Code status (CS) orders lack a universal definition. We aimed to improve provider understanding of order options.

Provider's knowledge of CS terminology, ease of understanding CS orders and ease of starting CS discussions.

A multifaceted intervention including 1) altered CS order language in the electronic medical record (EMR) from "Full Interventions," "Limited Interventions," and "Comfort Measures Only" to "Full advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)," "Partial ACLS," and "No ACLS" 2) clinical tools for CS identification 3) provider education.

Correct provider response rate for "Partial ACLS" and "No ACLS" terms increased from 43.5 to 60% and 20 to 71% (odds ratio 1.95; 95% confidence interval 0.99-3.83; P = 0.03, OR 9.8; CI 4.48-21.49; P < 0.001). The proportion of providers who felt understanding CS orders and starting conversations about CS was "very easy" (a score of 1-3 on a scale of 1 to 10) improved from 26.1 to 45.7% (P = 0.01) and 49.3 to 65.7% (P = 0.03).

Provider understanding of CS options can be improved with a combined QI intervention.