Advanced Directives-Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Case Study
Advanced directives were formed to protect the patient’s rights and wishes if they become incapable of making decisions. In health care there are two types of advanced directives: living wills and durable powers of attorney (Lachman, 2009, p. 89). “A living will expresses, in advance, a person’s instructions or preferences about future medical treatments, particularly end-of-life care, in the event the person loses ability to make health care decisions.” ( Sabatino, 2015, p.1). “A durable power of attorney for health care appoints a person (called a health care agent or proxy, health care representative, or other named depending on the state) to make decisions for the person (the principal) …show more content…
However, when an individual is unable to communicate or make decisions an alternative way needs to be established. This is exactly what advanced directives do. If advanced directives have not been established, health care decisions could be made by an individual not of the patient’s selection. When an individual is not selected to make decisions a surrogate is elected by the state. When there is no default surrogate to make decisions, the hospital will turn to the next of kin. In the case that the issue goes to court, which prefers to pick a family member to make health care decisions, but may also let a friend or stranger make decisions. However, when there is a durable power of attorney for health care there is no need for the courts to get involved. Communication is key to getting positive results for the patient. A document that expresses a person’s indications for their future care is called a living will. In other states, a living will is called a medical directive or declaration. The main focus of a living will is usually the end of life care, but may also include directions about specific care or treatment. A living will may only become effective when a person has become incapable of making health care decisions. In some states they identify end stage conditions (for example, advanced Alzheimer disease) or other conditions stated in the living …show more content…
Ideally, there should be copies of a living will or durable power of attorney given out to the doctors of the principal. These copies should also be placed in principal’s medical records and also with the principals appointed agent and lawyer. When having too many advanced directives or if they are too complicated, it can be very confusing. If the principal has a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care, the principal will need to specify which of the documents needs to be
Advanced directives were formed to protect the patient’s rights and wishes if they become incapable of making decisions. In health care there are two types of advanced directives: living wills and durable powers of attorney (Lachman, 2009, p. 89). “A living will expresses, in advance, a person’s instructions or preferences about future medical treatments, particularly end-of-life care, in the event the person loses ability to make health care decisions.” ( Sabatino, 2015, p.1). “A durable power of attorney for health care appoints a person (called a health care agent or proxy, health care representative, or other named depending on the state) to make decisions for the person (the principal) …show more content…
However, when an individual is unable to communicate or make decisions an alternative way needs to be established. This is exactly what advanced directives do. If advanced directives have not been established, health care decisions could be made by an individual not of the patient’s selection. When an individual is not selected to make decisions a surrogate is elected by the state. When there is no default surrogate to make decisions, the hospital will turn to the next of kin. In the case that the issue goes to court, which prefers to pick a family member to make health care decisions, but may also let a friend or stranger make decisions. However, when there is a durable power of attorney for health care there is no need for the courts to get involved. Communication is key to getting positive results for the patient. A document that expresses a person’s indications for their future care is called a living will. In other states, a living will is called a medical directive or declaration. The main focus of a living will is usually the end of life care, but may also include directions about specific care or treatment. A living will may only become effective when a person has become incapable of making health care decisions. In some states they identify end stage conditions (for example, advanced Alzheimer disease) or other conditions stated in the living …show more content…
Ideally, there should be copies of a living will or durable power of attorney given out to the doctors of the principal. These copies should also be placed in principal’s medical records and also with the principals appointed agent and lawyer. When having too many advanced directives or if they are too complicated, it can be very confusing. If the principal has a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care, the principal will need to specify which of the documents needs to be