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Naugatuck Valley
Surgical Center
You have the
right to make health care decisions about the medical
care you receive. If you do not want certain
treatments, you have the to tell your physician that you
do not want them and have your wishes followed.
You also have
the right to receive information from your physician to
assist you in reaching a decision about what medical
care is to be provided to you. Physicians have the
responsibility to provide patients with information that
can help them to make a decision. Your physician
will explain:
What treatment
may help you;
How each
treatment may affect you, that is, how it can help you
and what, if any, serious problems or side effects the
treatment could possibly cause;
What may happen
if you decide not to receive treatment.
Your physician
may also recommend what, if any, treatment is medically
appropriate, but the final decision is yours to make.
All of this information is provided so you can exercise
your right to decide your treatment wisely.
There may come
a time when you are unable to actively participate in
determining your treatment due to serious illness,
injury or other disability. Although it is not
possible to specify every circumstance, it is possible
to decide what king of treatment you would want in most
situations.
More people are
making health care decisions before they become
seriously ill, stating their preferences in writing.
A written legal document stating your preferences is
called an Advance Directive. This document
allows you to give instructions or 'directives'
concerning your medical care and / or appoint someone to
act on your behalf if you are unable to make these
decisions or communicate your wishes.
Advance
directives are prepared before any condition or
circumstance occurs that causes you to be unable to
actively make a decision about medical care.
In Connecticut,
there are two types of advance directives:
The living will
or health care instructions
The appointment
of a health care representative
The
Naugatuck Valley Surgical Center Policy
Naugatuck
Valley Surgical Center, as an Ambulatory Surgery
Facility, is not subject to the OBRA '90 procedures or
regulations regarding Advance Directives/Living Wills.
If a patient request that his/her Directive or Will be
placed into his/her file, the NVSC policy will be
addressed. If the patient insists on the execution
of the Directive or Will, the procedure will be
cancelled and scheduled at another facility. The
nature of our health care practice is one of expected
outcomes regarding non-emergency, elective procedures on
those individuals whose medical condition is stable and
who are prepared for this plan of management. DNR
(Do not resuscitate) orders are also not accepted.
The patient,
responsible adult or Power of Attorney will be informed
of the temporary suspension of the Advance Directives.
It will be re-instated following the patient's recovery
and discharge/transfer from the center. It will
then be forwarded to the hospital or Extended Care
facility, as appropriate.
The Naugatuck
Valley Surgical Center respects and supports personal
decision making of individuals. All competent
persons have the responsibility to make reasonable
efforts to take care of their own health.
Further
Information or Questions
If you have any
questions about Advance Directives, discuss them with
your health care provider and family. If you have
legal questions, please consult an attorney. the
following link will guide you to the State of
Connecticut Living Will Laws:
http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/browse.asp?a-21.30&bc=0&c=19278
You may also
contact the State of Connecticut Attorney General at 55
Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106 - Telephone: (860)
808-5318
Click here for a PDF version of CT Advance Directive
Form |
