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If You're a Patient
A Guide to Advance DirectivesThis section explains your right to make health care decisions and to make those wishes known to your doctor or other health care providers.Why do I need an advance directive?If you cannot make medical treatment decisions, your doctor will ask your closest relative or friend to help decide what is best for you. Sometimes your loved ones may not know what your wishes are. This is why it is important to say in advance what you would want to happen if you cannot speak for yourself. There are several kinds of advance directives you can use to tell health care providers about the care you wish to receive if you ever become unable to tell them your wishes.What are the different types of advance directives?Advance directives recognized in Pennsylvania are:
What is a living will?A living will is a written legal document that speaks for you, only if you are unable to tell us the kind of medical care or treatment you do or do not want. The living will clearly states your decision about care, if you are in a situation where medical treatment would only serve to prolong the process of dying or to maintain you in a state of permanent unconsciousness. Pennsylvania does not specifically recognize living wills that would not allow a health care provider to give medical care that is beneficial or effective.Click here to download a living will form in English and Spanish. What is a durable power of attorney?A durable power of attorney for health care decisions is a person who can make decisions about your medical care if you are unable to make those decisions for yourself. The person to whom you have given authority to make decisions for you is called a "surrogate" or "proxy." It is a good idea to name a second person to make decisions in case your first choice is not available.What if I change my mind about an advance directive?Pennsylvania law states that you may change your advance directive at any time. It is a good idea to review your advance directive every few years to make sure it still agrees with your wishes. Destroy your old written document and tell everyone who knew about it that you changed your mind. Give a copy of the new document to your doctor, health care provider and anyone else who had a copy of your old instructions.What if my doctor does not want to follow my advance directive?It is very important that you talk to your doctor about your wishes while you are well. If he or she indicates a problem in following your wishes, you have the right to change doctors.If I choose not to make an advance directive, who makes treatment decisions for me?As long as you are able, you and your doctor will decide about your care together. If you are unable to communicate your wishes or to make decisions, your doctor will discuss your plan of care with your family. If you have no family, a court order may be required to decide your plan of care.Where can I get a form to complete an advance directive?Examples of forms to complete an advance directive are available through your doctor, your clergy, a hospital, or local groups such as the offices of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the local bar (attorney) association or county Area on Aging offices. Ask your nurse for a form.Where should I keep my advance directive?You should give a copy of your advance directive to your family doctor, lawyer, family and those people you have named to make decisions for you, if you are unable to make them yourself.Do I have to bring a copy of my advance directive every time I come to the hospital?Yes, you should bring them with you each time you come to the hospital. You will be asked each time you enter the health care system whether or not the information in the statement still applies. If the information does not apply, please let us know. You do not have to have an advance directive to be admitted to the hospital or home health agency.What makes an advance directive a legal document?An advance directive must be:
Is a living will effective when I am pregnant?Pennsylvania law generally does not permit a doctor or other health care provider to honor the living will of a pregnant woman who has directed that she not be kept alive. However, the terms of such a living will may be honored if the woman's doctor determines that lifesustaining treatment:
GlossaryThere are several terms you may need to understand as you prepare an advance directive. The definitions below should help you understand some forms of medical treatment about which you will be making choices.
ResourcesOffice of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman The hospital will not condition the provision of care or otherwise discriminate against an individual based on whether or not the individual has an advance directive. The hospital will not follow advance directives where doing so violate professional standards of the law. If you would like to discuss advance directives or living wills with someone while you are in the hospital, please call the Service Excellence Coordinators office at 610-402-8222 or the pastoral care office at 610-402-8465. They are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If you are on Lehigh Valley Home Care/Lehigh Valley Hospice services, please contact our chaplain or medical social workers at 610-402-7300. This page last updated 6/26/08 02:47 PM
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