|
home > healthworks
It's not something we like to think about, let alone talk
about-but what would you do if you were seriously injured? Would you want
to be kept alive with live support equipment or feeding tubes? It may
be possible to sustain bodily functions long after many people believe
the quality of life acceptable to the patient has ended. Would you want
that treatment? Maybe, or maybe not--it's a personal decision.
You can make your wishes known with an advance directive.
It's a document that communicates your wishes if you are unable to do
so. It deals with any situation, serious injury or illness, where a person
doesn't have a reasonable hope of recovery.
"We are required, by law, to ask patients if they have
an advance directive," explains Kay Hawkins, RN, nurse executive for St.
Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs. "This is sometimes a difficult time
to approach the subject. It is much better for people to think about what
treatments they would want at a time when they are calm, maybe more rational
and less emotional."
St. Mary's Hospital employees are willing, ready and able
to help people complete advance directives before they might need one.
You can call to arrange a speaker to a church, school or community group.
"We really are making an effort to let people know what their options
are," says Hawkins. "We have a program (lasting about an hour) that explains
what an advance directive is, how it's used and why it's important. The
forms are fairly simple and we will help people complete them."
Hawkins adds that an advance directive does not focus
exclusively on refusing treatments. You may state when to continue or
when to discontinue life support treatment. "It's really a very loving,
thoughtful step a person can take for his or her family. It spells out
your wishes exactly-so there is no guilt or second-guessing in stressful
times. Every adult should have an advance directive."
Call 816-655-5365 for more information or to schedule
a speaker on advance directives.
|
