Advance Directives

Put Your Hospital to the Test

An 82-year-old male is unconscious, and his physician has certified that his medical condition is terminal. The patient’s Medical Power of Attorney lists his son as the agent. The son says his father verbally requested that all life-sustaining treatment be discontinued if he should ever be in an unconscious, terminal condition.

But, the patient’s wife says otherwise. She says that a month ago, he told her he would want to be kept alive using all life-sustaining treatment should he ever be diagnosed with a terminal condition. The patient’s son demands that the physician comply with his directions and disregard those of his stepmother.

How Would Your Hospital Respond?

• Should the physician honor the son’s, or the wife’s, request?
• Should the physician request an ethics consult by one or more members of the ethics committee?
• Is there a liaison to assist family members?
• What if the disagreement continues and the physician requests a full ethics committee review? What are your hospital’s policies for:
• • providing a copy of the patient’s medical record, if requested;
  • designating individuals who can attend the committee meeting;
  • reporting progress made on obtaining a transfer to another physician or facility; and
  • responding to media inquiries if one of the patient’s family members contacts the press about the situation?

Become Better Prepared — THA Can Help

Complex and highly emotional scenarios like this one are playing out in hospitals around the country every day. The Texas Hospital Association has created a comprehensive resource manual to help Texas hospitals comply with federal and state advance directives laws.

Find out more about this toolkit that is helping Texas hospitals respond to end-of-life issues with sensitivity and sensibility.

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According to Texas Government Code 305.027, portions of this material may be considered “legislative advertising.” Authorization for its publication is made by John Hawkins, Texas Hospital Association, P.O. Box 679010, Austin, TX 78768-9010.