Information for Patients

A Clinical Order Articulating Scope of Treatment (COAST) form is a place to record your plan for the type of care you would like to receive and that is most appropriate if and when you become very unwell. This form is signed by your doctor or nurse practitioner and is honored wherever you are, whether it is at home, in hospital, or in care. Before the COAST form was used, there was no reliable way to make sure that all members of your healthcare team know your treatment plans towards the end of life.

Frequently Asked Questions
Who should have a COAST Form?
​Any seriously ill patient should have a COAST form. However, you do not have to have a COAST form completed if you don’t want one. Tell your doctor or nurse practitioner if you prefer not to have a COAST form.
Who fills out a COAST form?
​Your doctor or nurse practitioner will have a discussion with you about your treatment options and decisions and then fill out the COAST form. This form will be signed by the doctor or nurse practitioner. 
What do you do with the COAST form
​Once completed, the COAST form stays with you at all times and becomes part of your medical record. At home, this may mean placing your COAST form on the fridge door or beside your bed, whilst in a hospital or nursing home, this will be in your chart.
Can I change my COAST form
​Yes. You or your designated agent (EPOA or next of kin) can talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner at any time if you have questions or concerns about your treatment plan. Your COAST form will be updated whenever your goals of care change.
​Is COAST different from Advanced Care Planning
​Yes, the COAST form is different. Whilst Advanced Care Planning provides a more general guide on what’s important for you at the end of life, the COAST form is a signed medical order that your healthcare team can act upon and lets us know your specific plan.
The COAST form works best in conjunction with Advanced Care Planning, and we recommend that all seriously ill people have both.
​WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A COAST FORM?
​The form is being introduced as a pilot study. The benefit of this study will hopefully be better coordination amongst all your health care providers so that the care you receive is medically appropriate and consistent with your circumstances and goals of care. By participating in research about the COAST process, you can help us improve the care we provide to seriously ill patients in the future.
​HOW CAN I GIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT THE COAST FORM AND PROCESS?
If you choose to participate in the research study, you will be asked to complete a survey after your COAST form has been completed. This may be provided to you at the time the form is completed or may be sent to you in the post afterwards. The purpose of the survey is to find out how satisfied you are with the process and allow you to provide any suggestions for improvement. Involvement in this study will place no other demands of your time. 

If you have other questions or concerns please contact Hospice Southland on 0800 211 308 or e-mail COAST@hospicesouthland.org.nz

Information explaining the treatment options of COAST can be downloaded below:

coast_patient_information_sheet_for_patients-families_2019.pdf
File Size: 315 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

For further information please contact:
Hospice Southland, 75 Kew Road, Invercargill, 9810
Telephone: 0800 211 308
E-mail: COAST@hospicesouthland.org.nz