Editor's Capsule Summary
What is already known on this topic
Although end-of-life care can be guided by advance directives, it is unknown whether the relevant information is available to out-of-hospital and emergency department (ED) providers and whether it informs care.
What question this study addressed
When out-of-hospital and ED providers treat patients who have a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatments directive, is care within the described plan?
What this study adds to our knowledge
When emergency medical services and ED records were linked for 1,557 Oregon patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, only 82 patients had the directive in place. Most care was within the bounds of the directive when it existed.
How this is relevant to clinical practice
This approach to out-of-hospital directives shows promise in guiding care, but current use is sparse.