Page 4 - Advance Directives Proof

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

At Bingham Memorial Hospital, we also have social workers who can discuss advance
directives with you, too. If you have any questions, please call: (208) 782-3794.

5 When do Advance Directives go into effect?

Advance directives will go into effect when you are unable to make your own
healthcare decisions; when you are unable to provide informed consent.

6 What is Informed Consent?

Informed consent is the process by which the treating healthcare provider discloses
appropriate information to a patient so they may make a voluntary choice to accept
or refuse treatment.

7 What should you do with your Advance Directive?

You should keep an original, completed, and signed Advance Health Care Directive.
Give a copy of the form to your physician and to any other healthcare providers that
you have. You may want to give copies to family members (i.e.: spouse, siblings,
parents) and close friends. Talk to them to confirm they fully understand your wishes
and are willing to take responsibility for ensuring that your wishes are honored.

Keep a small wallet card in your purse or wallet which states that you have an
advance directive and who should be contacted.

8 How will healthcare providers know if you have any Advance Directives?

All advance directives—living will, durable power of attorney for health care,
POST—should be registered in the Idaho Health Care Directive Registry located
in the Idaho Office of the Secretary of State. This is also why having a wallet card
in your wallet or purse is useful; to have immediate electronic access to your
advance directives in times of medical crisis.

All hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, HMOs, and all other healthcare
facilities that accept federal funds are required to ask patients if they have an
advance irective. If you do have an advance directive, it must be included in your
medical records.

4 Understanding Advanced Directives in Idaho