Advanced Directives

 
While the management of this center understands the importance of patient’s wishes pertaining to Advanced Directives, the Governing Board has set the following protocols that, due to the nature of services and types of patients admitted to the center, physicians will use all measures possible to sustain life. Patients will be transferred to the nearest hospital emergency facility.

• The clinical staff will ask the patient if they have a Living Will and/or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and document response accordingly. The patient will be instructed to bring a copy of these documents if they exist. Front office personnel will scan and place copy of documents in the patient’s medical record.

• The clinical staff will explain to the patient that the Center will not recognize Advance Directives for use in this setting and answer questions pertaining to this subject.

• Each patient will be given a copy and/or have access to the center’s policy regarding Advance Directives and sign an acknowledgement. Patients will be asked to answer the question on our form regarding whether they do or do not have an advanced directive. A patient signature will be required.

• If an emergency transfer did occur, all chart information would be copied and sent with the patient to the hospital, including the patient’s information regarding Advance Directives.