| Q: | What is an Advanced Directive? |
| A: | Advance Directives are documents written in advance of a serious illness or injury that state a person's wishes about medical treatment or designates someone to make health care choices on that person's behalf, if he or she becomes unable to make decisions. The Emory Hospitals have extensive policies concerning the requirements and the execution of advanced directives. The policies are found on the Emory Healthcare intranet page and in the Lotus Notes database. |
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| Q: | What do I do if a patient wants to execute an advanced directive? |
| A: | Advanced directives must be executed by the patient while the patient is still able to communicate his or her wishes. Advance Directives packets are available on the nursing units, in the Nursing Administration office and in the Pastoral Care Services office of the Emory Hospitals. You also may refer the patient (or the patient's family) to Pastoral Care Services Office or the Social Services Department for assistance with the Advanced Directives packet. |