Advance Directives

Advance Directives and Your Healthcare Decisions

In 1990, Congress passed legislation requiring healthcare providers to inform adult patients about their rights to make decisions regarding their medical care. Every patient has the right to accept or refuse medical treatment.

At Tanner Health, we want you to feel informed and supported when making important healthcare decisions for yourself and your loved ones.

Please note:

You are not required to have an advance directive or living will.
Your decision to have or not have an advance directive will not affect the quality or level of care you receive.
All adult patients are asked whether they have advance directives or a durable power of attorney for healthcare. This request is standard for every admission and is unrelated to the reason for your visit.

Your Rights Regarding Medical Treatment

You have the right to make decisions about your medical treatment, including the right to accept or refuse care. If you become unable to communicate your wishes due to illness or injury, healthcare decisions may be made by your family members in consultation with your healthcare providers. In some cases, the courts also may become involved.

Advance directives allow you to make your wishes known ahead of time. These legal documents help guide your family and healthcare team if you are unable to communicate your decisions.

The two most common types of advance directives are:

Living wills
Durable powers of attorney for healthcare

What is a Living Will?

A living will is a legal document that outlines the types of medical treatment you would or would not want if you become terminally ill and unable to communicate your wishes.

The two most common types of advance directives are:

Artificial breathing support
Pacemakers
Other procedures that may prolong the dying process

A living will does not apply to comfort care measures such as pain management.

Living wills take effect only when two physicians determine that your condition is terminal, not curable and death is expected.

What is a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?

A durable power of attorney for healthcare is a legal document that allows you to appoint another person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.

The two most common types of advance directives are:

Give this individual authority to make all healthcare decisions
Limit decisions to specific instructions you provide

It is important to clearly communicate your wishes and choose someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend, who understands your preferences and values.

How to Create an Advance Directive

Step 1: Discuss Your Wishes

Talk with your family members, loved ones and physician about your healthcare preferences so they understand your wishes in advance.

Step 2: Put Your Wishes in Writing

Complete a written advance directive and have it properly witnessed. Georgia’s Department of Human Resources provides forms for advance directives. If you wish to create a durable power of attorney for finances, legal guidance may be helpful.

Step 3: Share Copies

Provide copies of your advance directive to your family members, friends, healthcare providers, your attorney and anyone else who may need access to your wishes. You may also want to keep copies in your vehicle or while traveling.

If you are admitted to a healthcare facility, bring a copy with you so it can be included in your medical record.

Tanner's Advance Directive Process

State and federal regulations require hospital staff to ask patients whether they have an advance directive, living will or durable power of attorney for healthcare.

Information about advance directives is provided to every patient during admission. If you already have an advance directive, please provide a copy at the time of admission so it may be included in your medical record.

Tanner case management personnel are available at each hospital location to answer questions and provide additional guidance.

Advance Directive Resources

National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance)
The Alliance website provides advance directive information for individual states.
Phone: 800-658-8898

Tanner Advance Directive Planner
To assist with the decision-making process, Tanner offers an advance directive planning document available for download and printing.

Georgia Advance Directive Form
You may download and complete the official Georgia advance directive form.

Alabama Advance Directive Form
You may download and complete Alabama’s official advance directive form.

Spanish-language forms also are available.