Advance Directives

Your right to make healthcare decisions and how you can plan now for your medical care, if you are unable to speak for yourself in the future, is important.

When you are admitted to Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, you will receive information about Advance Health Care Directives and be asked if you have ever completed one.

An Advance Health Care Directive allows you to appoint a Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions to make decisions for you if you are unable to do so, and to identify your wishes regarding healthcare decisions.

When you have a medical procedure performed, your physician should provide you with information that will help you make an informed decision about your care. This should include information about the proposed treatment, benefits, and risks, as well as any alternative procedures available and the need to administer blood or blood components. The doctor should also let you know if he or she has any independent economic interests that could influence his or her recommendation of the treatment. If your doctor does not give this information to you, please contact your nurse.

Read about the Bioethics Committee at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center.