Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/848023
EVERY person has the right to make his or her own healthcare decisions. However, there may be times when you are unable to make your wishes known because of your physical or mental condition. An advance directive is a written set of directions you give ahead of time about the kinds of health care you would or would not want. An advance directive helps healthcare providers follow your wishes in these cases. Q. What if I don't have an advance directive? A. You will still receive medical treatment if you don't have an advance directive. Healthcare providers will listen to what people close to you say about your treatment preferences. Q. What will CHI St. Francis Health do with my advance directive? A. Upon admission, you or your representative will be asked if you have an advance directive. If so, we will ask for a copy to add to your medical record. We will review your directive to determine if we can comply should it need to become eective. If we nd we could not comply because of conscientious objections or because we are technically unable to provide certain care, we will notify you with thereasons. You may still choose to remain at CHI St. Francis Health. Q. Do I have to use a certain form? A. There is no required form. Here at CHI St. Francis Health, we have the Minnesota Health Care Directive form available, which is included in this magazine. This form meets the requirements of Minnesota. It also meets the requirements of North Dakota with the addition of a signed consent by the healthcare agent. Need more information? Call the CHI St. Francis Health social workers at the following phone numbers: • Acute care: 218-643-0550 • Long-term care: 218-643-0552 or 218-643-0553 • Home health and hospice: 218-643-2275 • Wilkin County senior citizens coordinator: 218-643-7122 • Richland County senior citizens coordinator: 701-642-5746 • Oce of the Ombudsman for Long-term Care: 800-657-3591 For more information regarding advanced directive laws specific to your state, go online and search "Health Directives" in the tool bar of your state's Department of Health website: For Minnesota, go to www.health.state.mn.us For North Dakota, go to www.nd.gov Q&A CHI St. Francis Health has information about healthcare decisions. CHI St. Francis Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. For more information, see link on our home page at www.sfcare.org. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-218-643-0405. LUS CEEV: Yog tias koj hais lus Hmoob, cov kev pab txog lus, muaj kev pab dawb rau koj. Hu rau 1-218-643-0405. Guidelines for your advance directive An advance directive must meet the following legal requirements: Be in writing and dated State your name Be signed by you or someone you authorize to sign for you when you can understand and communicate your healthcare wishes Have your signature verified by a notary public or two witnesses Include the appointment of an agent to make healthcare decisions for you and/or instructions about the healthcare choices you wish to make Different forms are available, though all have the same restrictions in your advance directive. For example: Your agent must be at least 18 years of age Your agent cannot be your healthcare provider, unless the healthcare provider is a family member or you give reasons for the naming of the agent in your directive You cannot request healthcare treatment that is outside of reasonable medical practice You cannot request assisted suicide For North Dakota residents: If you appoint a healthcare agent, they must sign the document stating they accept the appointment. 2 Highway 75 North and 210 West