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Note:You may wish to download copies of Active Directives together with instructions and definitions.
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Advance Directive:
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An advance directive is a written statement of your wishes regarding your health care which goes into effect if at some time you are unable to make health care decisions. There are two types of advance directives: a living will and a durable health care power of attorney.
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A living will is a document which states your desires concerning the medical treatment you do, or do not want to receive if you become unable to make your own medical care decisions.
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A durable health care power of attorney is a document in which you give another adult person the legal authority to make medical treatment decisions for you if you became unable to do so. You can designate anyone, a spouse, relative or good friend as your decision maker. This person is frequently referred to as your agent, proxy, or surrogate decision maker.
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What Should I Put my Wishes in Writing?
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If, as a result of serious injury or illness, you become unable to make medical treatment decisions, you retain legal ability to control your medical treatment by having an advance directive. Writing your wishes down helps your doctor, family and friends know what medical treatment you do or do not want in case YOU cannot tell them Yourself.
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Should I Have Both Kinds of Directives?
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YES! In most cases it is a good idea to combine a living will and a durable health care power of attorney into a single document. Doing so helps your health care team, family and friends to carry out your wishes.
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Who Should I Tell About my Advance Directive?
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Before you prepare an advance directive, you should discuss your medical treatment wishes with your physicians, close family members, and the person you choose as your surrogate.
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You should give a copy of your advance directive to your primary physician. Because military patients see different physicians, a copy should be placed in your outpatient medical record. Another copy should be placed in your inpatient record if you have one. You should also bring a copy of your advance directive with you any time you are admitted to the hospital. A copy of any durable health care power of attorney should also be given to the person you named as your surrogate decision maker.
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Am I required to Have an Advance Directive?
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No, you are not required by law or Army regulation or hospital policy to have an advance directive in order to receive care. However, an advance directive is the most effective way to ensure desires concerning medical treatment are honored if you become unable to communicate your choices to those providing your medical care.
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What Should Be Included in an Advance Directive?
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You should declare your desires concerning the initiation or withdrawal of life-sustaining medical treatment. Typical instructions include those concerning:
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): treatment to restore breathing and heartbeat. It may include pushing on the chest, electric shock to the chest, and the insertion of a breathing tube in your throat.
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Dialysis: treatment to clean the blood with a machine when the kidneys do not function.
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Being placed on a ventilator or breathing machine.
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Giving food, water, and medications through tubes.
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Giving pain medication and comfort.
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Donating your organs.
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What if my Doctor and I do not Agree about my Treatment?
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Your doctor will treat you according to professionally accepted medical standards. If you and your doctor do not agree about your medical treatment, you have the right to request to be treated by another doctor. You may also seek advice from the WRAMC Ethics Committee.
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Can I Change my Advance Directive?
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Your advance directive can be changed, or revoked by you at any time, either verbally, or in writing. If you do so, it is crucial that you tell your physician and family members, along with anyone you have designated as your decision maker.
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How Can I have an Advance Directive Prepared?
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You can complete an advance directive form yourself in the presence of acceptable witnesses. You may wish to download copies of Advance Directives together with instructions and definitions. Forms are available also on the hospital wards. It is highly recommended that you discuss advance directives with your family and physician before you prepare one. Help is available at the Legal Assistance Office, Building 1, Room D-201. Office hours are 0815-1615, Monday through Friday (except holidays).
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What do I Need to Remember?
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It is important to remember that you are a member of your own health care team. Your wishes about your care are important to your doctor and the other health care professionals. They can serve you best if you continue to talk with them and with your family throughout your treatment, both in and out of the hospital.
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