an advanced directive is a legal document that gives guidance about the types of healthcare a patient accepts in the instance that they become unable to make their own decisions it can also appoint another person known as a proxy to make these decisions on behalf of the patient in this video we'll cover when an advanced directive applies who should make an advance directive and the four types of advanced directives first let's review when an advanced directive applies advanced directives are valid in any medical setting where the health care provider has a record of it a health
care provider can only go against its orders when the decision goes against the individual health care provider's conscience when the decision is against the health care institution's policy or if the decision violates accepted health care standards laws about advance directives vary state by state some states recognize the directives of others but not all advance directives can be changed or revoked by the patient at any time next let's cover who should make an advance directive advanced directives are usually used by patients suffering from terminal conditions or life-limiting illnesses from which they are unlikely to recover it's
wise to include the following details in any advance directive care requests body disposition list of people not permitted to make medical decisions for the patient name and conduct information for the proxy names and signatures of witnesses and the signature and seal of a notary public if required by state law when an advance directive is complete the patient should provide copies to their doctors proxy and alternate proxies and any family members who they think should have one additionally it's important to know the four types of advance directives first a living well explains a patient's wishes regarding
end-of-life care in the instance they are too ill or injured to make their own decisions two physicians have to confirm the patient's incapacitation before the medical team can resort to the living well they often address comfort care dialysis iv hydration organ and tissue donation resuscitation measures tube feeding and ventilation second in a medical power of attorney a patient names an individual to be their medical decision making proxy the proxy is expected to make decisions based on what they believe the patient would want in order to be a proxy a person has to meet the state's
requirements for a health care agent not be on the patient's medical team be willing to discuss end-of-life issues be trusted to adhere to the patient's wishes and be trusted to be the patient's advocate third a do not resuscitate is a form that forbids healthcare providers from using particular life-saving resuscitation techniques on a patient unlike the previous versions it must be signed by both the patient and their healthcare provider finally a physician order for life-sustaining treatment more commonly known as a polst lays out specific medical orders for a seriously ill patient regarding hospitalization life support medication
pain management and resuscitation it must be signed by the patient's doctor to be legally binding and is normally appropriate for patients who are in their final projected year of life in an advanced stage of terminal illness or are suffering from an illness or injury from which they won't recover so there are plenty of legal documents online if you're in need of a living will form a medical power of attorney form a dnr form or any other form we have thousands of state-specific ready-to-go templates available for you to download all for free click here to get
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