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MAKING DECISIONS
Rome Memorial Hospital and the medical staff
support your right to actively participate in decisions regarding your
healthcare program including decisions regarding the right to refuse
life-sustaining treatment. In compliance with federal law, you will be given
information regarding these rights upon your admission to the hospital.
ADVANCED DIRECTIVES
In brief, advance directives allow
individuals to indicate to their family members and physicians their choices
regarding life prolonging medical treatments and other pertinent issues.
With advance directives, individuals can control their own medical care in
the event of incapacitation, thereby limiting the influence of healthcare
providers and the legal system. Examples of advance directives include
living wills, designating a health care proxy and giving a "Do Not
Resuscitate" order. For more information about advance directives, contact
Social Services at 338-7131.
ETHICS COMMITTEE
Feelings
of anxiety and uncertainty often affect both you and your family when you
are hospitalized. Sometimes you or your family members may have a dilemma
related to your plan of care and may need the advice of the organizational
Ethics Committee. This committee provides a consulting service to patients,
physicians and hospital personnel when ethical considerations or personal
dilemmas arise regarding the extent of treatment of irreversible or terminal
conditions. Often, the Ethics Committee is convened when involved parties
disagree with the treatment plan.
If you
feel that you or your family members would like to meet with the Ethics
Committee, or if you would like the committee to review your care in terms
of planned treatment for your irreversible or terminal condition, inform
your nurse. Your nurse will make the necessary arrangement.
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