This law makes it legal for people to record the health care decisions they would want made by others if they are unable to make their own decisions in the future. This Act also makes it legal for people to record who they would and would not want involved in making health care decisions for them. The Act means registered nurses need to be aware of the existence and validity of personal directives, and to ensure that health care decision-making is in keeping with what is stipulated in personal directives. Registered nurses must be knowledgeable about personal directives and improve understandings about them when necessary. Registered nurses must continue to act to keep client information confidential, as privacy of personal health information is critical.
Abuse includes physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect.
Registered nurses who work in publicly-funded facilities such as hospitals, seniors lodges, group homes, and nursing homes must advocate for the safety of the client by reporting suspected abuse. Other legislation such as the Mental Health Act and Dependent Adults Act provide guidance to registered nurses as advocates. Nurses who have clients whose care falls under these two Acts need to be aware of how the care of the client is impacted by the legislation. The Federal Criminal Code also guides the conduct of all Canadian citizens. It lists assisted suicide, for example, as a criminal offense.