A UF nursing student works to change state’s end-of-life care rules
Advocating for those in need and working to transform how Florida addresses end-of-life care have become passions for Meredith Fischer, a University of Florida College of Nursing student.
Due in part to her tenacity, two bills on Patient-Directed Medical Orders have been introduced to the Florida Legislature this session: House Bill 353, sponsored by state Rep. Susan Plasencia, R-Orlando, and co-sponsored by state Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Escambia County; and the companion Senate Bill 566, sponsored by state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Miami, and co-sponsored by Florida nurse practitioner and state Sen. Barbara Sharief, D-Miramar.
The bills address the shortcomings of Florida’s advance directive orders — legal documents that specify how people’s medical care should be handled if they are unable to make decisions.
During her 15 years as a nurse in the intensive care unit, Fischer saw how advance directive and do-not-resuscitate orders often failed to ensure that patients’ end-of-life wishes were respected. Many people ended up unable to have their wishes followed because the proper documents could not be found or accessed in time. So, Fischer acted.
“We are building a grassroots movement to mobilize others to contact their legislators to support this crucial health care policy,” Fischer said.