What is an Advance Directive?
Illinois law allows for three types of Advance Directives:
1. health care power of attorney;
2. living will; and
3. mental health treatment preference declaration
You can also ask your doctor about preparing a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR order).
Advance Directives are the legal documents that allow you to give direction to medical personnel, family and friends concerning your future care when you cannot speak for yourself. You do not need a lawyer to complete Advance Directives.
Our hospital has an Institutional Review Committee to assist healthcare providers, patients and families in dealing with these difficult decisions. Pastoral Care is also available 24 hours a day to provide spiritual guidance and assistance.
Lifesaving procedures may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ventilation or defibrillation. As a patient, you have a right and obligation to make your wishes on critical healthcare decisions known to family members, physicians and hospital staff. If you do not wish to receive lifesaving measures, you may request a “No Code” or DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order be placed on your medical chart. A “No Code” or DNR order can be reversed at any time. A copy of an Illinois Department of Public Health Uniform DNR order also will be made a part of your permanent record. The “No Code” or DNR status does not mean all medical and nursing care will be withheld. Patients will continue to receive high-quality supportive care that includes providing foods and fluids, personal hygiene, pain control and ongoing personal attention and comfort.
For more information about creating advance directives and copies of the various documents, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health web site at www.idph.state.il.us.