Learn More about Advance Directives
Spring 2005
While we would like to think that we will
always be healthy and able to make
decisions for ourselves,we never know
when a sudden illness or serious condition
might make us unable to do so. Making
your wishes known while you are still
healthy is a good idea. It will help relieve
your loved ones of the uncertainty and
burden of making medical decisions for you
by knowing your wishes in advance.
Your Advance Directive
An advance directive is a written or spoken statement
about your future
medical care. The advance directive makes your
doctor, family, and friends aware of
how you would like to be treated if you become
seriously ill and cannot express your
wishes. Planning in advance for health care decisions
is the best way to make sure
your voice is heard and your wishes are respected.
Your
advance directive should include:
- Medical
treatments that you approve
- The person you
would like to make health care decisions on
your behalf
- Ethical, religious and spiritual
instructions
- Anything about the end of your
life that you might want your loved ones and
health care providers to know.
Benefits of Advance
Directives:
They Help Others Know
What To Do
Your written advance directive
is a benefit
to your family members and friends. By documenting
your wishes, they will be able
to make a health care decision on your behalf.
An advance directive is the best
means to make sure that your wishes are honored.
Those refusing blood and blood products for
religious reasons need to be informed
of the alternatives available.
The staff of
the Center for Bloodless Medicine and
Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital provides information
about these alternatives, and
assists with the completion of the advance
directive. Please contact the Center for
Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at 1-800-789-PENN
(7366) if you would like
assistance completing your advance directive.
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