Can a surrogate decision-maker make all health care decisions for an incapacitated patient?
In Arizona, a surrogate decision-maker can make most medical decisions. However, a surrogate decision-maker cannot decide to remove artificial nutrition that has been started. Legally, only the person, a Health Care (Medical) Power of Attorney or a Guardian can authorize the stopping of artificial nutrition. The decision to withhold or withdraw any other treatment can be made by any surrogate.
Related Questions
- Is testing of the source patient under the Family Health Care Decisions Act (FHCDA) anonymous, as it is in the HIV Testing Law? If not, which law takes precedence?
- What if I become incapacitated without having executed powers of attorney or a health care surrogate designation?
- Can a surrogate decision-maker make all health care decisions for an incapacitated patient?
