What is an Advance Directive?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Hospital news
Critical Choices
There may come a time when you or a member of your family becomes seriously injured or critically ill. In the midst of your shock and grief you may be asked to make difficult decisions about the intensity of medical care to be administered or about whether to withdraw "life sustaining" treatment and change the goal of treatment from cure to comfort.
An advance directive is your life on your terms. Whether you're 18 or 80, documenting your wishes today means your family won't have to make heart-wrenching decisions later.
Medina Regional Hospital encourages you to know your options for accepting or refusing care. Decide what’s right for you. Talk with your family, friends and doctors. And then put it in writing.
How Do We Make Our Wishes Known?
Texas law allows you to make an advance directive concerning your medical care. That is, you make your wishes concerning medical treatment known before you actually need such care. Forms may be obtained from your healthcare facility. You do not have to issue an Advance Directive. In fact, a physician, health facility, health care provider, insurer or health care service plan cannot require that you issue an advance directive as a condition for obtaining insurance for healthcare services or for receiving health care services.
For more information on Texas laws regarding Advance Directives, click Here