GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE

Know that a patient has the right to refuse life prolonging therapy

Explanation

A patient who is COMPETENT has the right to refuse potentially life prolonging therapy. If this wish is clearly expressed by the patient to the physician, and the patient later loses the ability to express competence, the physician must abide by the patients previously expressed wishes. This overrides the wishes of family members.

If the patient loses capability to decide, only a durable power of attorney for health care can legally overturn the decision unless the patient has specifically excluded the capability to change this.

If on the other hand this issue was never discussed, the durable power of attorney has the right to decide. If there is no such appointee, then first right is that of the spouse, next is offsprings (if adults >18), then are parents, then brothers/sisters.