The Patient Self-Determination Act is a federal law requiring all adult patients be provided the right to accept or refuse treatment and the right to develop their own advance directive on medical care issues.
Advanced Directives
An advance directive, or advanced health care directive, is a legal document needed for someone else to be allowed to make medical decisions for you in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. These documents may give someone you trust the authority to make decisions for your health care treatment and can direct your medical team on what care you do and do not wish to receive. Your advanced directives have nothing to do with your money or properties. Advanced directives are only about your medical care.
The two most common are durable power of attorney for health care and living will. You do not have to prepare an advanced directive if you do not want one. If you do prepare one, you have the right to change or cancel at any time. If you wish to change or cancel an advance directive while in the hospital you should notify your physician, care team, family and others who need to know. If you need additional information about advance directives, please ask for assistance from your care team.
Durable Power of Attorney
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care/Health Care Proxy is a legal document allows you to designate an agent or proxy to make your health care decisions for you when you are unable to do so yourself. This may be permanent or temporary, depending on your situation. This person should be someone whom you trust to follow your wishes. Your health care provider cannot be your medical proxy, unless they are also your relative.
Living Will
A living will is a legal document written and signed by the patient to inform health care providers and family members what care you do and do not want to receive in various circumstances.