Being diagnosed with a terminal illness is a difficult time, whether for the patient, family, or friends. South Dakota MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment) was created to make this time easier to navigate.
On March 27, 2019 Governor Noem signed into law Senate bill 118 to establish certain provisions regarding advance care planning and allow the execution of a medical order based on a standardized form which is transportable across all healthcare settings and in all facilities. Medical providers in South Dakota and their patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness will be able to translate their treatment goals and preferences into actionable medical orders, known as MOST. The purpose of the MOST order form is to ensure all individuals who are facing a terminal condition have the opportunity to discuss their condition with their medical provider and can express their values and preferences for life-sustaining treatment documented in a medical order.
South Dakota MOST does not replace an advance healthcare directive (durable power of attorney for healthcare or living will). Both documents work together in a patient-centered approach to honor the values, wishes and goals of each patient.
SDAHO is here to help with additional information and resources for patients and providers. For more information on how South Dakota MOST works, get answer to frequently asked questions, view policy templates, view both state and national legislation or see the MOST form in English and Spanish visit us at www.sdaho.org/most/
