How does BWH protect patients’ wishes?
BWH recognizes the right of individuals to make decisions about their treatment, including decisions to withhold or withdraw life support. In the event patients become unable to make decisions, there are two types of Advance Directives to ensure that their wishes are carried out.
The first is a legal document called a Health Care Proxy, which, in Massachusetts, allows patients to appoint someone they trust to make health care decisions for them if they become unable to make or communicate those decisions for themselves. The second is a living will declaration. This is a written document that allows patients to specify their preferences regarding the type of medical care they would want if they become terminally ill.
JCAHO requires that there is documentation in the medical record of whether a patient does or does not have an Advance Directive. If patients do not have an Advance Directive, but would like to establish one, the hospital provides educational materials and forms to assist them in making an informed decision. Additionally, if a patient has an Advance Directive, but does not have a copy readily available, staff will assist the patient or family in making arrangements to have a copy placed in the medical record.
For additional information, please contact the Ethics Service at ext. 8590 or Care Coordination at ext. 6469.