June 01, 2005
Advance Directives Record At-a-Glance
Advance directives help to ensure that treatment preferences are honored.
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Vol. 78, No. 6, June 2005
• The Schiavo Case in Wisconsin

Advance Directives At-a-Glance

• Advance directives help to ensure that treatment preferences are honored.
• Statutorily-endorsed advance directives include living wills and health care powers of attorney. Statutory forms and related materials are available from the resources described in the sidebar accompanying this article.
• Health care power of attorney documents should not only designate a health care agent but also should include guidance as to the principal's treatment preferences.
• If individuals wish to execute both a living will and health care power of attorney, they should be sure that the documents are consistent.
• If a now-incapacitated patient's treatment wishes are clear, given his or her past statements and his or her values, feelings, and beliefs, they should be honored.
• Conflicts or questions about treatment decisions for an incapacitated patient at a health care facility should be directed to the facility's bioethics committee if the facility has one.

Wisconsin Lawyer