|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Explore the human body
with this interactive guide. |
|
|
| |
|
A wide assortment of
tools and reference materials |
|
|
|
|
Search for a physical with
Deaconess Health System |
|
|
 |
 |
|
An advance directive is a document that pertains to treatment preferences and the designation of a surrogate decision-maker in the event that a person should become unable to make medical decisions on their own behalf. Advance directives are generally in the form of a living will, life-prolonging procedures declaration, designation of a health care representative or proxy, and durable power-of-attorney. Advance directives can be revoked or amended at any time. This section on advance directives has been designed to help you understand Federal and Indiana laws about advance directives, and the Evansville Surgery Center’s policies about these issues. |
|
| The 1990 Patient Self-Determination Act is a federal law that says patients must be informed of their rights under state law to make decisions about their medical care, including the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and the right to have an advance directive. The advance directive document is a way for you to communicate what kinds of medical care and treatment you do or do not want if you become unable to make these decisions for yourself. |
|
According to Indiana law, “competent adults have the right to control the decisions relating to their own medical care, including the decision to have medical or surgical means or procedures intended to prolong their lives provided, withheld or withdrawn.”
Under Indiana law, a written advance directive can communicate a competent person’s wishes regarding health care, including life-prolonging treatment. The directive can designate a person who will have the role of making difficult health care decisions for you, if you become unable to state your wishes. A formal advance directive can be in the form of a living will, a life-prolonging procedures declaration, an appointment of a health care representative, or an appointment of a power-of-attorney for health care (Indiana Code IC 16-8-11). You have a right to make an advance directive if you want to, but you are not required to do so.
|
|
| A living will is an advance directive that allows you to specify or limit the kinds of life-prolonging procedures you wish to receive if you become terminally ill and unable to make medical decisions. It is a voluntarily executed document put into writing and signed by the person making the declaration (or his/her representative if the patient is unable to sign) and signed in the presence of at least two witnesses. |
|
| A life-prolonging procedures declaration document is an advance directive that allows you to specify your wish to receive life-prolonging procedures that would extend life if you become terminally ill and unable to make medical decisions. This declaration must be signed and dated and witnessed by two people who are at least 18 years old and who know you well but are not related to you. These witnesses should not be your potential heirs or your health care providers, and they should not hold direct financial responsibility for your health care. |
|
| A health care representative document is an advance directive that allows you to name someone else to make your health care decisions for you should you become unable to make health care decisions. You should tell this person of your wishes about refusing or stopping care, as well as matters of more routine care. This type of advance directive can relate to any medical situation, not just terminal illness. |
|
| A power-of-attorney for health care document is another advance directive that allows you to name someone else to make your health care decisions for you if you become unable to make your own health care decisions. Instructions about treatment preferred or treatment to be avoided can also be included. This type of advance directive relates to any medical situation, not just terminal illness. |
|
| Compliance with the 1990 Patient Self-Determination Act is intended for inpatient hospital admissions, not for outpatient surgery centers. The Evansville Surgery Center does not honor advance directives. Health care providers at the Evansville Surgery Center are bound to do all in their power to assure the safe recovery of every patient, including resuscitation if that becomes necessary. All adult patients are asked if they have an advance directive, which is placed in their medical record. Adult patients are also informed that an advance directive will not be honored while a patient at the Evansville Surgery Center. |
|
Additional information, including sample advance directive forms, can be found online at the following websites: |
 Advance Directives |
| Living Will |
| Life-Prolonging Procedures Declaration |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2010.
Evansville Surgery Center.
All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. |
|
|
|
