Advance Directive 

The Importance of Advance Directives

Each time you visit your physician, you make decisions regarding your health care.  You tell your physician about your medical problems.  You can decide what types of treatments to accept.  This process works until you are no longer able to decide what forms of treatment you choose to accept or are unable to communicate what your decisions are.  Advanced directives are a way of managing your future health care when you are no longer able to speak for yourself. 

Clay County Hospital respects a person's right to participate in planning his or her health care, either through a written instruction or by appointment of another person who will make decisions when the patient is no longer able to communicate his or her wishes. 

Written personal instructions or the durable power of attorney for health care take effect only if you become incompetent, unconscious or otherwise unable to make informed decisions.  Clay County Hospital will honor  

What is an Advance Directive?

An advance directive allows the patient to furnish instructions regarding his or her wishes on accepting, withholding or withdrawing life-prolonging procedures.  You may use a standard state living will form, as well as other written instructions, for this purpose.  Your family, physician and the hospital can refer to this advance directive in the event that you become unable to make or communicate your decisions. 

What is Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care?

The durable power of attorney for health care allows a person selected by the patient to consent to or refuse treatment for the patient should the patient become unable to make his or her own decisions.  This is helpful in situations in which the advance directive does not apply, but where guidelines about treatment options are necessary. 

Are Advanced Directives Required?

Advance directives are not required.  Your physician or hospital cannot require you to make an advance directive if you do not want one.  Physicians and hospitals often encourage patients to complete advance directive documents to that the physician can gain information about hour health care choices so that your wishes can be followed.

Should you decided against completing a written Advance Directive, it is still a good idea to verbally select a spokesperson to speak for you should you be unable to communicate your wishes.  Be sure to let your doctor and hospital staff know whom you have selected. 

If you are interested in obtaining an advance directive you may further discuss this with our Case Manager at 618-662-1640. 

Another resource to consider is the American Hospital Association's (AHA) website, www.putitinetiyinh.org that provides hospitals and consumers with helpful information on Advance Directives.

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Last modified: 08/01/07