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Spectrum Health respects your right to make decisions about your health care. Your choices should be noted on your medical record.
Decision Making
Federal law requires hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers that receive federal funds to inform patients of their right to consent to or refuse treatment. As a Spectrum Health patient, you have the right to:
- Accept medical care or refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law
- Be informed of the medical consequences of your decisions
- Make health care decisions before and during the delivery of care
- Tell your care providers about your decisions
Advance Directive
One way patients can make their wishes known is to complete an advance directive, also known as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Problems sometimes arise when a person is unable to make or communicate choices because of an accident or illness. An advance directive gives you a way to inform others of your wishes about treatment. It also enables you to appoint a representative who will communicate these decisions for you if you can't.
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