Made with Xara 4111 Dodomeade Street, Chester, Va.    P.O. Box 2905, Chester, VA, 23831-8477    Dinner: 6:30 PM, Stated Meeting: 7:30 PM    Meets Second Thursday   Lodge Phone: (804) 796-5773 MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR CARE AND TREATMENT YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT IN  VIRGINIA  I.        INTRODUCTION The Natural Death Act became law in Virginia in July of 1983. This law provides that any  competent adult has the right to decide whether to accept, reject or discontinue medical care  and treatment that would be used to prolong the dying process in the event of a terminal  illness. If you do not wish to undergo a certain procedure or to receive a certain type of  treatment, you have the right to make your wishes known to your doctor or other health care  provider and generally to have those wishes respected. There may be times, however, when a person cannot make his/her wishes known to a health  care provider. For example, a person may be unconscious or too badly injured to tell his/her  doctor what kind of care or treatment he/she would like to receive or under what  circumstances that doctor would withhold care or treatment.  The purpose of this document is to let you know what the law currently has to say about your  rights as a competent adult to tell other people now, if and how you would like to receive  medical care and treatment from a health care provider; in the event that you need medical  attention but become physically or mentally unable to give instruction about your care and  treatment later. It also tells you what Virginia law has to say about the duty of a health care  provider to follow your advance instructions.  To make these complex issues easier to understand, we have addressed them through a  series of questions and answers. Before you make any decisions about the issues addressed  in this document, you should discuss them with your doctor, members of your family and  where appropriate, your lawyer.  II.      GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS  Q: What is the "Living Will"? A: The living will is a signed, dated and witnessed document that allows you, or someone  designated by you, to state in advance your wishes regarding the use of artificial live support  systems when you are suffering from a terminal illness with no chance of recovery.  Q: Do I have to be dying to sign a "Living Will"?- A: No. The living will is best considered and signed now, while you are not terminally ill. Once  a terminal illness strikes, you may not be able to make these wishes known to your family  and your doctors. This places the burden of these emotionally charged and difficult decisions  with your family at a time when they are least able to cope with them. Complete a "Living  Will" now and make your wishes known to your doctor and those close to you. Q: Is my "Living Will" a legally binding document"? A: Yes. The Virginia State Legislature has passed a law which makes the "Living Will" binding  on your doctor and your family. Your wishes will be followed, but only if you make them  known!  Q: What if I'm not terminally ill? Will the "Living Will" keep me from getting medical care? A: No. The "Living Will" won't keep you from getting all the life sustaining treatments you  need in the event of an illness or accident. It will keep you from being placed on artificial life-  support in the event of a terminal illness. Q: What if I change my mind? A: You are not bound by the living will. You may change your mind and revoke it at any time  either orally or in writing.  Q: How can I make sure that my wishes will be carried out? A: The most important step is to let your doctor know about your "Living Will", and to discuss  it with your family. Your doctor should place a copy of the "Living Will" in your medical file. Q: What if my doctor doesn't agree to the "Living Will"? A: The law states that if your doctor doesn't wish to follow the provisions of the "Living Will",  he must make a reasonable effort to transfer your care to another physician.  Q: Can a "Living Will" be made orally? A: Yes. A "Living Will" can be made orally, but only after the diagnosis of a terminal illness  has been made, and in the presence of two witnesses and a physician. Neither of the  witnesses may be a blood relative. Q: What advice does the AMA give doctors about the "Living Will"? A: The AMA has given its sanction to withdrawal of life support to the terminally ill. A report adopted by the Association's Judicial Council, published in May 1981, advises physicians as follows:"For humane reasons, with informed consent, a physician may do what  is medically necessary to alleviate severe pain, or cease or omit treatment to let a terminally  ill patient die..." Q: If I refuse all life-support measures, will my death be considered a suicide? A: No. Your death would be caused by your terminal illness, not by withholding or  withdrawing treatment. Q: Will the "Living Will" be honored in the case of an emergency? A: In an emergency, no certain determination may be made as to whether the victim will  survive, and therefore every effort is made to save the life of the patient. When the patient's  condition has stabilized, the provisions of the "Living Will" can be implemented to remove life- support measures that are unwarranted.  Q: Where should I keep copies of the "Living Will"? A: You should give a copy to your doctor. You may also give a copy to your next of kin,  clergyman, lawyers, friends, or anyone else who may be in a decision-making capacity for  you.  Download Living Will         Word Document format    PDF Download POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR HEALTH CARE   Word Document format    PDF