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Advance Directives

Living Will & Power of Attorney

 

 

 

It is your right as a competent adult to accept or refuse medical care or treatment. Advance Medical Treatment Directives (referred to as Advance Directives) can protect your right if you ever become mentally or physically unable to choose or communicate your wishes with regard to medical treatment.

An Advance Directive can be very valuable to you, as it protects your right to make medical choices when you cannot speak for yourself. It also assists your family by allowing them to know what your wishes are, and it provides guidelines for the physicians and healthcare providers who are taking care of you.


Advance Directives enable patients to communicate their feelings about:

•  Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) used to restore breathing and / or heartbeat.

•  Respirators / Ventilators�machines used to keep patients breathing.

•  Dialysis�a method of cleaning a patients blood by machine when kidneys no longer work properly.

•  Intravenous Therapy (IV) used to provide fluids, and / or medication through a tube placed in the vein.

•  Feeding Tube inserted through the nose to provide nutrition when patients can no longer eat normally.

 

Two Types of Advance Directives . . .

The State of Idaho recognizes two types of Advance Directives:

Living Will: These are written instructions that explain your wishes regarding health care and treatment, should you have a terminal condition. They are called living wills because they take effect while you are still alive but cannot speak for yourself. A Living Will requires your signature to be witnessed.

Durable Power of Attorney : This is a written document in which you name a person (or persons), called an agent or proxy, to make decisions for you regarding healthcare treatment at the time you become unable to do so. In addition, you can state in your Advance Directive your wishes regarding donation of specific organs, bone, or tissue for transplantation in the event of your death. A Durable Power of Attorney requires your signature to be witnessed and notarized.

It is important to remember that Advance Directives do not take effect as long as you are able to communicate your wishes regarding healthcare treatment.

You may revoke or revise your Advance Directive at any time, either orally or in writing. Madison Memorial Hospital will honor your wishes as stated in a properly executed Advance Directive.

 

Creating an Advanced Directive

If you wish to create an Advance Directive while a patient in the hospital, please ask your physician or nurse for assistance.

•  Put your wishes in writing and be as specific as possible.

•  Sign and date your Advance Directives and have them witnessed and notarized where appropriate.

•  Keep a card in your wallet or purse stating that you have an Advance Directive and where to find it.

•  Give your physician a copy to be kept as part of your medical records.

•  Discuss your Advance Directive with your family and friends, and give copies to relatives or friends who are likely to be notified in case of an emergency.

•  Review your Advance Directives regularly and make any changes when necessary. Remember to inform your physician, family and proxy or agent of any changes.

Our Case Management Department has forms available for creating an Advanced Directive. You may contact them by calling extension 119.