Death at a New York Hospital and Advanced Directives

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nBrenda Hewitt, who was a patient at a New York hospital suffering from kidney failure, had given instructions in the form of Advance Directive. If her illness were to aggravate to a dangerous point, artificial life-support measures should not considered for her (Nolo.com, 2015). Such as electrical or mechanical resuscitation of her heart in case it stops pumping. Alternatively, mechanical respiration should not be used on her if the brain cannot support her breathing. Engle Bert, who is her husband, was given by Brenda the power of attorney to have her wishes prevail (Share care, 2015). Upon Brendas admission to the hospital, she was never granted the Patients Self-Determination Act. Despite all that, her wishes were never considered in that hospital even after Engle Bert intervention. She finally died, but in a horrible state of wounds and bruises inflicted on her (Allaw.com, 2015). Following that, the paper intends to explore Advance Directives, Living wills, Patient Self-Determination Act and the reasons behind them.

nPatient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) is a law that requires most hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and HMOs to always provide information concerning Advance Directives upon admission. PSDA primarily requires health care facilities only to provide to the patient a written summary of their states law, health care decision-making rights he can make and that particular facilitys rules concerning advanced directives (Allaw.com, 2015). Then enquire for a copy of advanced instruction so that they can attach it to the patients medical record. It requires health care institutions to educate their workers and the community around details regarding advanced directives. PSDA also cautions against discrimination of any patient with regards to whether or not they have an advance directive (Americanbar.org, 2015).

nThe advanced directive or living will is a legal document in law. Which a person uses to make his or her personal wishes outlined concerning medical treatments that may prolong or even require that you be on a life support machine that some may not like (Americanbar.org, 2015). It will help your doctor or health caregiver to make a decision on what to do if that situation arises and you are incapacitated, and you are unable to speak for yourself. You may need a law expert to guide you or use software application that goes in line with your states law (Allaw.com, 2015).

nA durable power of attorney is another health care directive that is a document in which you name or entrust someone to oversee your medical care and to make decisions regarding your health care on your behalf. If you are unable to intervene for yourself due to illness that may even take you to a comma, he or she can help (Allaw.com, 2015). Those people are called the attorney-in-fact or health care proxy. That person works with doctors and other health practitioners to ensure your wishes prevails. Moreover, he is bound to even refraining doctors from putting you through life support machines if you did not want so (Nolo.com, 2015).

nThere are various reasons for an advance directive on a persons life. Brenda always made clear known her decision on the manner in which she wished her life to end up when her illness worsen to Engle Bert (Share care, 2015). It helps in relieving one’s family the stress, anxiety and depression of deciding your fate in case of incapacitation without going contrary to your wishes. Once you have an advance directive, one can choose early the type of medication that is relevant to you, thereby evading treatments that are fruitless (Nolo.com, 2015).

n Moreover, you can evaluate options for certain procedures like feeding tubes and life-support machines while you are still in your right senses of mind and able to speak out (Share care, 2015). These directives also save a patient from all that agonizing moment with terminal diseases and a comma, which in some cases goes for months with little hope of recovery even expressed by doctors. It will even stop unnecessary hospital bill accumulation (Share.com, 2015).

nAdvance Directive should be prioritized because it is a legal document and expresses the desires and wishes of the person referred in the text. In Brendas situation, her Advanced Directives were never adhered to, and that was a breach of the law on the part of the doctors in that hospital (Americanbar.org, 2015).

nThe dignity of an individual is protected while still alive. Brenda had numerous wounds and bruises to a point where Engle Bert found it unbearable to look at her when he got in the room. That lowered Brendas dignity, and none of that would occur when Advance directives are being respected (Nolo.com, 2015). No human being should go through the same. Advance Directives are so binding to the person who is given the durable power of attorney. In the article, Engle Bert felt very aggrieved and guilty, he even felt he had failed Brenda and even regretted taking her to the hospital (Allaw.com, 2015). When Advanced Directives are not being honoured, the agent or health proxy can live with a guilty conscious for the rest of his or her life (Nolo.com, 2015). Moreover, resulting to psychological problems, to some they can never forgive themselves, and this is not healthy for a person.

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nReferences

nAllaw.com, (2015). What is a living will? Retrieved 25 April 2015, from http://www.allaw.com

nAmericanbar.org, (2015). Law for Older Americans/public Education. Retrieved 25 April 2015, from http://www.americanbar.org

nNolo.com, (2015). The Durable Power of Attorney: Health Care and finances. Retrieved 25 April 2015, from http://www.nolo.com

nShare care, (2015). What are the benefits of having an advance care directive? Retrieved 25 April 2015, from http://www.sharecare.com