Healthcare Decisions Day at BRMC
Advance directives information will be available
Anyone age 18 and older can benefit executing an advance directive for healthcare choices if they become unable to speak for themselves.
In Pennsylvania, competent patients have the right to decide whether to accept, reject or discontinue medical care and treatment.
To bring awareness during National Healthcare Decisions Day on Friday, April 16, Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) Social Services staff will answer questions and offer printed information from 9 a.m. to noon in the hospital’s Outpatient Services Center lobby.
“We’ll have a table set up in the lobby and pass out advance directive booklets and forms that comply with Pennsylvania law,” says Karen Gelston, LSW, Social Services director.
“By creating an advance directive, you are making your preferences about medical care known before you’re faced with a serious injury or illness,” says Mrs. Gelston. “This will spare your loved ones the stress of making decisions about your care when you are unable because they will know your wishes.”
Advance directives allow adults to specify the kinds of care and treatments they do and do not wish to receive, she explains.
Currently, only about 25 percent of adults in the U.S. have executed an advance directive of any kind, says Mrs. Gelston. For those who haven’t, “This means a physician can err on the side of over-treatment.”
An advance directive can come in a couple of forms, she notes.
A living will is one type of advance directive. “It is a written, legal document that describes the kind of medical treatments or life-sustaining treatments you would want if you were seriously ill with little hope of recovery and unable to speak for yourself,” says Mrs. Gelston. However, a living will doesn’t let you select someone to make decisions for you.
A healthcare power of attorney is another kind of advance directive, she adds. This states whom you have chosen to make healthcare decisions for you should you become physically or mentally unable to make medical decisions. It becomes active anytime you are unconscious or unable to make medical decisions.
Other than the forms provided at the hospital, patients can execute an advance directive through an attorney or using a document such as Five Wishes which is recognized in many states.
“They can be short, simple statements about what you want done or not done if you can’t speak for yourself,” Mrs. Gelston notes.
Individuals also can change or revoke their advance directives anytime they want, provided they are competent, she says. Being competent means having the ability to think rationally and communicate wishes in a clear manner. Any changes must be signed and notarized, according to state law.
A new advance directive can be completed at any time. The old one should be destroyed.
As part of the initial nursing assessment, BRMC’s patients are given an advance directive booklet that contains sample forms, Mrs. Gelston says.
“After you complete your advance directive, you should discuss your wishes with your family and your doctor,” she says.
Anyone age 18 and older can benefit executing an advance directive for healthcare choices if they become unable to speak for themselves.
In Pennsylvania, competent patients have the right to decide whether to accept, reject or discontinue medical care and treatment.
To bring awareness during National Healthcare Decisions Day on Friday, April 16, Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) Social Services staff will answer questions and offer printed information from 9 a.m. to noon in the hospital’s Outpatient Services Center lobby.
“We’ll have a table set up in the lobby and pass out advance directive booklets and forms that comply with Pennsylvania law,” says Karen Gelston, LSW, Social Services director.
“By creating an advance directive, you are making your preferences about medical care known before you’re faced with a serious injury or illness,” says Mrs. Gelston. “This will spare your loved ones the stress of making decisions about your care when you are unable because they will know your wishes.”
Advance directives allow adults to specify the kinds of care and treatments they do and do not wish to receive, she explains.
Currently, only about 25 percent of adults in the U.S. have executed an advance directive of any kind, says Mrs. Gelston. For those who haven’t, “This means a physician can err on the side of over-treatment.”
An advance directive can come in a couple of forms, she notes.
A living will is one type of advance directive. “It is a written, legal document that describes the kind of medical treatments or life-sustaining treatments you would want if you were seriously ill with little hope of recovery and unable to speak for yourself,” says Mrs. Gelston. However, a living will doesn’t let you select someone to make decisions for you.
A healthcare power of attorney is another kind of advance directive, she adds. This states whom you have chosen to make healthcare decisions for you should you become physically or mentally unable to make medical decisions. It becomes active anytime you are unconscious or unable to make medical decisions.
Other than the forms provided at the hospital, patients can execute an advance directive through an attorney or using a document such as Five Wishes which is recognized in many states.
“They can be short, simple statements about what you want done or not done if you can’t speak for yourself,” Mrs. Gelston notes.
Individuals also can change or revoke their advance directives anytime they want, provided they are competent, she says. Being competent means having the ability to think rationally and communicate wishes in a clear manner. Any changes must be signed and notarized, according to state law.
A new advance directive can be completed at any time. The old one should be destroyed.
As part of the initial nursing assessment, BRMC’s patients are given an advance directive booklet that contains sample forms, Mrs. Gelston says.
“After you complete your advance directive, you should discuss your wishes with your family and your doctor,” she says.
.jpg)
Comments