ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

Advance Directives

WHAT ARE ADVANCE DIRECTIVES?
They are written directions that state the specific type of care you wish to receive if you become physically or mentally unable to choose or communicate your wishes.

There are two types of advance directives:

1. A Living Will
Written instructions that express your wishes regarding health care should you have a terminal condition, are permanently unconscious or have irreversible brain damage. This document must be prepared by you.

2. Health Care Proxy

Also known as Durable Power of Attorney
A written document by which you appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your medical treatment according to your wishes, if you are unable to do so. You may change or cancel this proxy by filling out a new Health Care Proxy Form.

It is a good idea to have both types. This will ensure that your wishes are expressed as completely as possible. You may also be able to combine both types in one document.

Here is a list of terms you will want to know before completing an Advance Directive.

Do Not Resuscitate Order
Also known as DNR
A written order by a physician which alerts other health care givers that the patient, family, or health care proxy, in consultation with the doctor, does not want the patient to be given cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The patient will not be resuscitated if breathing or heart beat has stopped. If he/she is a resident of a nursing home he/she will not be resuscitated or transferred to a hospital for such procedures.

Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order

A Do Not Resuscitate order that may be issued prior to, during, or after hospitalization. This enables a person living at home to have his/her wishes honored when emergency medical services personnel respond to calls.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Also known as CPR
A technique used to restore or maintain breathing and/or heart beat using chest compression and artificial ventilation.

Basic Life Support

Also known as BLS
A simple technique which utilizes chest compression and/or assisted breathing in order to maintain circulatory and respiratory function. This is frequently performed by lay persons with basic training.

Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Also known as ACLS
A more complex technique utilizing chest compression and/or assisted breathing, along with the administration of drugs, oxygen, IV fluids, and electrical shocks to maintain circulatory and respiratory function. ACLS is only performed by professional health care providers specially educated and trained to perform these functions.

Electrical Defibrillation

The use of a machine to provide electrical current to regulate or resume the heart beat.

Mechanical Respiration

Also known as mechanical ventilation, respirator, ventilator, or breathing machine
A machine connected by tubing to the mouth, nose, or throat that is used to assist or keep a patient breathing.

Artificial Nutrition

Also known as artificial feeding
A patient is fed through a tube inserted into the nose, mouth, vein or stomach because he/she is no longer capable of eating.

Artificial Hydration

Fluids are provided to the patient through a tube inserted into the nose, mouth, vein or stomach.

Nasogastric Feeding

Nutritional feeding and/or hydration through a tube inserted into the nose which leads to the stomach.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube

Also known as PEG Tube
Nutritional feeding through a tube surgically inserted through the wall of the abdomen and into the stomach. A PEG Tube is used when a patient needs long term nutritional fluid supplements and is not obtaining foods or fluids by mouth.

Intravenous Fluid Therapy

Also know as IV fluid therapy
Fluids are provided to a patient intravenously (into a vein).

Palliative Care

Also known as Comfort Care
Treatment which enhances comfort and improves the quality of the patient's life. The goals of this treatment are pain control, management of symptoms and spiritual care.

PUT YOUR ADVANCE DIRECTIVES IN WRITING

Use the proper forms.

State your specific wishes.

Ask your proxy and health care provider to review your documents with you. Remember, they will be responsible for helping to carry out your wishes.

Sign and date your advance directives with the proper witnesses.

Make several copies. Keep the original in a safe and accessible place. Give copies to your proxy and healthcare provider, and to anyone who might be called in an emergency. Also, keep a card in your wallet stating that you have an advance directive and where it can be found.

Corning Hospital has available a free packet of forms and information to help you plan in advance for your medical treatment. If you need assistance please contact: Rev. Jack Bunde, Director of Pastoral Care at 937-7378 or Sandi Ryant-Devine, MSW, Director of Social Services at 937-7250.

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