What is a Medical Power of Attorney or Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?
This document allows you to elect someone as your “agent” or “proxy” to make your healthcare decisions only in the event you are unable to communicate you own wishes. You want to be sure you elect someone who is familiar with your healthcare wishes and would be able to carry out these wishes. This document requires your signature in the presence of two qualified witnesses. What is an Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate? A document specific to the State of Texas that allows you to refuse certain life-sustaining procedures outside of a hospital setting (these settings include hospital outpatient, emergency departments, ambulances, long-term care facilities, physician offices). Even though you may have a Directive to Physician or Medical Power of Attorney without an Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate emergency personnel are bound by law to do everything possible to keep someone alive including, life-support. Important to Know . . .
