- What are my rights to accept, to reject or to stop medical care or treatment?
In Pennsylvania, adults generally have the right to decide if they want to accept, to reject or to discontinue medical care and treatment.
- What does my doctor have to tell me about my care and treatment?
Your doctor should provide you with all of the information which a person in your situation would reasonably want to know in order to make an informed decision about a proposed procedure or course of treatment. This means that your doctor should tell you about the risks and benefits of the medical procedure or course of treatment which he or she is recommending. possible side effects, and alternatives, if any, to the proposed procedure or course of treatment. You may accept or reject your doctor's advice and you may seek a second opinion.
- Does my health care provider have to tell me if it not honor my wishes?
Yes. The law requires your health care provider (hospital. nursing home. home health care service, hospice or HMO) to give you a written statement of its policies. For example, upon admission to a hospital, a patient must be told if that hospital will not honor his wish to have food and water withheld or withdrawn under certain circumstances.
- If I become physically or mentally unable to make a decision about my medical care or treatment, what can I do now to guarantee that my wishes will be followed later?
There is no law in Pennsylvania which guarantees that a health care provider will follow your instructions in every circumstance. There are, however, steps you can take to express your wishes about future treatment. One of these steps is to write and sign an advance directive.
- What is an "advance directive"?
An "advance directive" is a written document which you may use under certain circumstances to tell others what care you would like to receive or not receive should you become unable to express you wishes at some time in the future. In Pennsylvania. two types are specifically authorized:
- a living will (also known as an Advance Directive for Health Care) and
- a durable power of attorney for health care.