PatientInfoGuide - Flipbook - Page 17
of care, please let your nurse know or call the office
of the Chief Nursing Officer at 802-447-5004.
Advance Directives
Advance directives are legal documents that
address in advance the course you would like
your medical care to take. They are used if
a medical crisis arises when you are unable
to communicate your wishes. Whether you
prepare an advance directive is entirely up to
you. When you entered the hospital you were
asked if you have an advance directive. If you
do have one, it will be noted in your medical
record. If you would like to establish an advance
directive now, please contact our Social Services
Department at 802-447-5079.
Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care
or the New York State Health Care Proxy
The Vermont Advance Directive—or the
N.Y. Health Care Proxy—is a legal document
in which you name another person as your
agent to make health care decisions for you if
you should ever become unable to do so for
yourself. This person will then have the legal
authority to make those medical decisions
for you, including such decisions as whether
to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining
treatments. For example, the document
might cover your wishes regarding the use
of a treatment such as artificial nutrition or
hydration. If you are a resident of a state other
than Vermont or New York, the Social Services
Dept. may be able to assist you with obtaining
the appropriate forms for your state of
residence. For more information, contact Social
Services at 802-447-5079.
Organ Donation
Organ donation is a personal choice. If you are
a Vermont resident and choose to have your
organs donated after your death, the first step
is to sign the back of your driver’s license. You
should also make sure your loved ones are
aware of your decision. The Vermont Advance
PATIENT INFORMATION GUIDE
Directive and the New York Health Care Proxy
forms permit you to list specific instructions
about organ donation.
Hospice Services in Our Area
Hospice affirms life by helping patients find
dignity, peace, and comfort in their final days.
Pain control and symptom management enable
patients to stay at home with friends and family.
Hospice neither hastens nor postpones death
and regards dying as a normal part of life.
Hospice Admission Criteria
• The patient has a life-limiting illness with
a prognosis of six months or less.
• No further aggressive or cure-oriented
treatment is wanted or recommended.
• The patient is certified by a physician for
hospice.
• The patient and family understand hospice
philosophy and desire hospice care.
Several organizations provide hospice services;
for more information contact the Social Services
Department at 802-447-5079.
Returning Home
Discharge Planning
“There’s no place like home,” and our goal is to
get you back to yours as soon as possible. Your
physician, health care team, and health resource
manager have been making plans for any
follow-up care that might be required following
your discharge. These plans could include
outpatient visits, home health care, or a stay in
a rehabilitation facility. Your health resource
manager can also help coordinate any medical
equipment you may need. We will work with
you to make sure your discharge and continued
recovery go smoothly. If you have any questions
or concerns about your post-hospital care,
please make sure to talk about them with any
member of your healthcare team.
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