If tomorrow you woke up, unable to speak, unable to write, unable to nod your head, unable to
move, unable to care for yourself; Who would you choose to make decisions about your healthcare needs?
When you arrive at the hospital, someone is going to have to give permission for you to receive
treatment. If you need surgery or a blood transfusion; Who will sign on your behalf ?
If the hospital wanted to perform procedures that you do not want; Who will refuse on your behalf?
If you already know that if your heart were to stop, you don't want to be revived; if you already
know that you do not want to be placed on an artificial respirator (a vent or breathing machine) Who will communicate this to the doctors for you?
Who do you trust enough to speak for you? Who knows how you feel about surgery, blood transfusions?, artificial respirators?, organ transplant, artificial feeding? What you want done if your heart were to stop beating? What to do if the doctor said you were brain dead, or in a coma? Do you want to donate your organs?
The person you choose is your healthcare agent. The form you write your wishes on, along with the name and contact information of your healthcare agent is the health care proxy document.
Speak with your healthcare provider, ask questions about the healthcare Proxy.
If you don't have a healthcare proxy, someone will make choices for you. That someone may not be a person you trust, or who knows what you want. That someone may make choices for you that are completely opposite to what you want.
Provide your healthcare agent with a copy of your healthcare proxy document.
Travel with a copy of your healthcare proxy. A copy of it should be made available for your chart when you are receiving healthcare services.
by Charity Francis-Munson, FNP
