DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIAN

Commonly referred to as a Living Will

A Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates is a form that allows you to state your wishes about medical care in the event that it has been determined by your physician that you have an irreversible or terminal condition and you are not able to make or communicate your own medical decisions.

This directive instructs physicians to administer, withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment. Life-sustaining treatment is a treatment or procedure that includes medications and artificial life supports, such as mechanical breathing machines, kidney dialysis and artificial nutrition and hydration, that is not expected to cure your condition or make you better, and is only prolonging the moment of death.

Important Points

This advance directive allows you to tell doctors and those close to you what you wish to be done or not done should you need life-sustaining treatment.

• This advance directive becomes effective only when your attending physician certifies in writing that you have a terminal or irreversible condition and are unable to make your own medical decisions.
• You can change or cancel your Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates at any time for any reason.
• A copy of this signed advance directive should be provided to your physician, family members or significant others, the person chosen as your agent to make health care decisions and/or your attorney.

To read the Texas law regarding the Directive to Physicians, go to http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/ and look under Texas Statutes. The Directive to Physicians is covered under the Advance Directives Act, Chapter 166 of the Health and Safety Code.