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Show peat PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 23, 1994 | ee DIALOGUE INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE Advance Directives Put You In Control of Your Health Care keep you alive in the event you are incapacitated. Here is a brief overview of STEVE KOHLERT advance directives you can SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE create to maintain control of s the debate over health are legislation continues in Washington, its useful to remember the many steps we can take as individuals to control our own use of health resources. One ques- tion comes up frequently in discussions about individual control: “What would happen if I were hospitalized with a terminal condition and unable to communicate with the medical staff or even my own family my wishes regarding my medical treatment?” The same medical technolo- your own health care. Through advance directives, patients can determine what medical steps they want taken on their behalf if they become unable to make medical decisions for them- IMeasures. Under a federal law which with,a Special Power of Attorney and then ~. .. eseribe your. Medical Association. But “make sure both:your physician and | written a Special Advance — Power of Attorney— receive a copy. For legal advice, contact an at If you prepare advance directives yourself, consider the following: you have a terminal illness or fall into a persistent vegeta- documents. you write a If Living Will first and select an agent second, your agent will be able to act without legal obstacles. . Select someone you trust to act as your agent. There is no rule about whom to select; it can be a spouse, a best friend, or anyone else. . Choose an alternate: agent in case your first choice is unable to carry out your wishes. Write the alternate agents name on your Special Power of yourself—not just when you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state. Medical Treatment Plan: In this document, you and your physician specify what treatment you will receive once you have a serious injury, disease, or illness. written document are required to inform ~ could. create legal questions about the validity of both these INCLU CaCO patients and rUCTM ELICay appropriate to continue or allows you to specify the medical treatments you do > Wishes in avs: ® agent—if you've mine when you feel it is Living Will: This Will, so if you seleet someone as.an, ‘agent? Bar Association and Utah Advance directives also help the medical staff provide the right treatment. They make it possible for you to deter- and do not want to receive if ss to do yourself. Sarnples are available through the Utah important to families. Family members are often put in the emotionally wrenching position of having to second-guess treatment for a loved one. took effect in 1991, hospitals patients of their right to Special Power of Attorney: Through this document, you can name a person to cairy out your wishes once you become unable to make medical decisions. It applies any time it is impossible for you to make decisions for selves. Advance directives are not only crucial for patients; they are equally gy that saves lives can also withhold prolong lives artificially, long treatment. after the quality of life and hope of recovery are gone. Many of us fear the technolThree Options ogy we also admire—and worry that we will end our Utah law allows adults age lives hooked to an array of 18 and older to unwanted life supgay choose three port devices. We're methods of makconcerned not just ing advance direcMany of us about the emotional tives: a Living impact of such a sitai Will; Special uation on us and our Ty Power of Attorney; surviving families; mars or Medical we're also concerned FINI Treatment Plan. about the financial aftermath of such heroic but useless tive state and become unable to make decisions. (You may wish to specify instructions as to.administration of medications, which will be continued unless specifically _ mentioned.) s 1. Write a Living Will and a Special Power of Attorney. If your agent is unavailable, your Living Will can tell your physician what medical treatment you want. Attorney and then write that this alternate agent shall serve if your first choice is unable to serve. . Review your plans with your physician and agent before putting your advance directives into force. If you have questions about health care reform, please call or write. THC DIALOGUE ON HEALTH CARE 36 South State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 1-800-889-3337 . Write any Living Will before preparing a How to Proceed Living Wills and Special Powers of Attorney are easy Special Power of Attorney. Under Utah law, a power of attorney takes precedence over a previously signed Living INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTH CARE IHC we make “advance directives’— instructions on what measures should be taken to |
