AccomodationsAdvance Directives CalendarFamily And FriendsFinancesGoing HomeICU/CCU PatientsNotice of Privacy PracticesPatient RepresentativePatient ResponsibilitiesPatient RightsSmokingSocial ServicesSpecial ServicesStaying HealthyTelephone and TelevisionVisitor InformationYour Hospital TeamYour Safety and Security
Patient Self Determination Act
Advances Directives (also called Living Wills)
Click here for forms and information on Advance Directives
You have the right to make health care decisions, including decisions about nursing home care, for yourself. Under the law, a patient must consent to any treatment or care received. Generally, if you are a competent adult, you can give this consent for yourself. For you to give this consent, you should be told what the recommended procedure is, why it is recommended, what risks are involved with the procedure and what the alternatives are.
If you are not able to make your own health care decisions, your advance directives can be used. An “advance directive” can be an Individual Instruction or a Power of Attorney for Health Care.
An “Individual Instruction” is a directive concerning a health care decision. An Individual Instruction can be written or oral. No specific format is required for Individual Instructions.
A “Power of Attorney for Health Care” (PAHC) is a document through which you designate someone as your agent to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make such decisions. The PAHC comes into play when you cannot make a health care decision, either because of a permanent or temporary illness or injury. The PAHC must specifically authorize your agent to make health care decisions for you and must contain the standard language set out in the law. This language is included in the form of the PAHC contained in the Form section at the back of this booklet. Otherwise, the PAHC can contain any instructions which you wish.
If you are unable to make a decision and have not given or prepared individual instructions or a PAHC, you may designate an adult of your choice, called a surrogate, to make health care decisions for you. If you do not appoint a surrogate, the members of your family may make decisions for you.
Your Right Under Mississippi Law To Make Decisions Concerning Health Care
The Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 (The “PSDA”) is a federal law which imposes on the state and providers of health care-such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, home health agencies, and prepaid health care organizations-certain requirements concerning advance directives and an individual’s rights under state law to make decisions concerning medical care.
Click here for forms and information about Advance Directives