Advance Directives

For Health Care

Advance Directives Also known as legal directives Legal document that allows individuals to stat

what medical treatment they want or do not want in the event that they become incapacitated and unable to express their wishes

Health care workers must be aware of and honor advance directives

Two main directives include a living will and Durable power of Attorney for Health Care

Living wills Document stating what measures should or

should not be taken to prolong life when their condition is terminal

Most states allow and honor living wills Frequently result in do not resuscitate (DNR)

order for terminally ill Must be signed when individual is competent and

witnessed by two adults who cannot benefit from the death

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Designation of health care surrogate Document permitting a principal to appoint

an agent to make decisions regarding health care if the principal is unable to make decisions

Includes specific provisions Usually POA given to spouses, adult

children, but can be any qualified adult

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) 1990 federal law Patients are informed of their rights and

have the opportunity to determine the care they receive

All health care facilities receiving any type of federal aid must comply with standards.

PSDA Requirements Inform every adult, both orally and in writing, of

their right under state law to make decisions concerning medical care, including the right to refuse treatment and right to die options

Provide information and assistance in preparing advance directives

Document any advance directives on the patient’s record

PSDA Requirements Have written statements to implement the

patient’s rights in the decisions making process

Affirm that there will be no discrimination or affect on care due to advance directives

Educate the staff on the medical and legal issues of advance directives

In addition…Health care workers should also give serious consideration to preparing their own legal directives