Who can medical staff talk to about medical care when the patient is not available?
You need to sign a release of information in the clinic or give verbal permission for the medical staff to talk to anyone other than yourself about your medical care. The release of information can specify what information can be released to this person. If you have a Medical Power of Attorney and a doctor determines that you do not have capacity to make medical decisions your medical information could be shared with your Medical Power of Attorney. In a situation where you do not have capacity to make medical decisions, and have not completed a Medical Power of Attorney a Health Care Surrogate may be appointed by your doctor to make medical decisions for you. A Health Care Surrogate is appointed through a checklist that identifies potential surrogates including, a guardian, a spouse, a child, parents, siblings, grandchildren, a close friend or the state. Careful consideration is given to determine the best person to make decisions and a court order can be obtained if there are any obje
