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Advance directive
An advance directive is a personal statement of how medical care choices should be made and who should make them in the event a person is unable to communicate, such as from having a severe injury or illness. A medical power of attorney, which appoints a person (called a health care agent or proxy) to make medical treatment decisions, and a living will are types of advance directives.
Advance directives should be documented and comply with the guidelines established within a person's state of residence. The provisions within an advance directive, such as when to continue or abandon life-support measures, also should be discussed with a health professional, family members, and other potential decision-makers.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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