Advance Directives
What is an advance directive?
An advance directive is a legal document that provides directions or expresses your preferences concerning your healthcare. It can include:
- Healthcare instructions
- A living will
- The appointment of a healthcare representative to make decisions on your behalf
If you have an advance directive, please bring us a copy on the day of your procedure so that we may add it to your medical record. It is the policy of the surgery center that we do not follow a “Do Not Resuscitate” order of your advance directive and we will take all necessary measures to sustain your life, should the need arise. There may be other portions of your advance directive that we can follow.
According to the United States Supreme Court and Connecticut law, you have the right to make decisions about the medical care you receive. If you are an adult and can understand the nature and consequences of your healthcare decisions, you have the right to tell your physician you do not want certain treatments and have your wishes followed.
In the event you are unable to make or communicate your decisions about your medical treatment, physicians and others responsible for your care may refer to an “advance directive” you supply.
Connecticut facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory surgery centers are required to inform you before you are admitted whether they will be able to honor your right to accept or reject treatment.
If you have an advance directive, please provide us with a copy so that we may add it to your medical record. Please know that it is the policy of Waterbury Surgery Center to sustain life with extraordinary efforts should the need arise, though there may be additional portions of your advance directive that we are able to follow.
You are not required to have an advance directive to receive medical care at Waterbury Surgery Center or any other healthcare facility. If you do not have an existing advance directive and would like information, we would be happy to provide you with the necessary forms and facts regarding your Connecticut advance directives, healthcare proxy and living will.