What must hospitals do according to the Patient Self-Determination Act upon patient admission?

The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) requires hospitals to inform patients about their rights regarding advance directives at the time of admission. This includes discussing the options for advance directives such as Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) and living wills. The intent of the PSDA is to ensure that patients are aware of their rights to make decisions about their healthcare and to express those preferences in advance, which is pivotal for respecting their autonomy and wishes regarding medical treatment.

While providing a full list of treatment options, obtaining written consent for all treatments, or conducting a thorough medical history assessment are standard practices in healthcare, they do not specifically align with the requirements set forth by the Patient Self-Determination Act. The focus of the Act is on promoting patient autonomy and ensuring that patients have the opportunity to express their healthcare preferences, which is why discussing advance directives is the correct action hospitals must take upon patient admission.