![]() ![]() Health care agents make decisions just as if the health care agent were the patient. Some people refer to this type of advance directive as a "living will." How do health care agents make decisions under a health care proxy? A written statement can be included in a health care proxy, or it can be in a separate document. You can get more information about health care proxies at: Some patients also express specific instructions and choices about medical treatments in writing. Make sure your health care agent knows your wishes about artificial nutrition and hydration (being fed though a feeding tube or IV line). Discuss with your agent what types of treatments you would or would not want if you were in the hospital and had a life-threatening illness or injury. By filling out a form called a health care proxy, this person becomes your "health care agent."īefore appointing a health care agent, make sure the person is willing to act as your agent. In New York State, the best way to protect your treatment wishes and concerns is to appoint someone you trust to decide about treatment if you become unable to decide for yourself. Advance Directives/Health Care Proxies What is an advance directive?Īdvance directives are written instructions about health care treatment made by adult patients before they lose decision-making capacity. Health care providers will provide emergency treatment without consent unless they know that a decision has already been made to refuse emergency treatment. For example, a person may be knocked unconscious during an accident. In this case, health care may need to be given right away without consent. Other times, a healthy person may suddenly lose capacity and need treatment urgently. For example, a patient can consent to surgery that involves general anesthesia before receiving anesthesia, which would cause them to lose the ability to decide. ![]() Sometimes patients have already made a decision about a procedure or treatment before they lose the ability to decide. Do family members always make health care decisions whenever patients lack decision-making capacity? If the patient objects, more procedures are required. Another person will make health care decisions for the patient only after the patient's doctor makes this determination. ![]() A doctor must make the determination that a patient lacks the ability to make health care decisions. A doctor will examine the patient if there is good reason to believe the patient lacks capacity. Health care workers will assume patients have decision-making capacity, unless a court has appointed a legal guardian to decide about health care. What if it's unclear whether or not a patient has decision-making capacity? Who decides whether or not the patient has that capacity? It also includes the ability to reach an informed decision. This includes the benefits and risks of (and alternatives to) proposed health care. "Decision-making capacity" is the ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of proposed health care. Adult patients have the right to make treatment decisions for themselves as long as they have decision-making capacity. Adult Patients Who Have the Ability to Make Informed Decisions Do adult patients have a right to make their own health care decisions? Informed consent means that after information is given about the benefits and risks of treatment (as well as alternatives to the treatment) permission is given to go ahead with the treatment. Patients must give informed consent before any significant non-emergency treatment or procedure. Patients or other decision makers have a right to be fully informed by a doctor about their medical condition and the doctor's proposed treatment. Can the patient or other decision maker find out about the patient's medical condition and proposed treatment? This guide does not include the special rules for health care decisions made by legal guardians of persons with developmental disabilities. Because this guide is about health care decision-making, the word "patient" is used to refer to anyone receiving medical care. It also includes DNR orders in a health care facility, or in the community. It contains information about surrogate decision-making in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice programs. This guide is for New York State patients and for those who will make health care decisions for patients. Versión en Español - Cómo decidir sobre Atención médica una guía para pacientesy familias (PDF)ĭeciding about Health Care: A Guide for Patients and Families Introduction Who should read this guide?.Deciding About Health Care: A Guide for Patients and Families (PDF) - Revised 2/2018.All Health Care Professionals & Patient Safetyĭeciding About Health Care: A Guide for Patients and Families.Clinical Guidelines, Standards & Quality of Care.Health & Safety in the Home, Workplace & Outdoors.Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records. ![]()
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