Advance Health Care Directive
An advance health care directive (advance directive) allows you to state choices for your future medical care or name someone to make medical decisions for you in the event you become seriously ill and are unable to communicate your wishes. Types of advance directives include a living will, a health care power of attorney or a combination document. Main Line Health hospitals honor your right to make an advance directive. We are required by law to ask all adult patients whether they have an advance directive. If you have an advance directive, please share it with your doctor and bring a copy with you to the hospital so that your care providers may know your wishes.
Guide to Advance Health Care Directives
We hope our brochure, Decide for Yourself: A Guide to Advance Health Care Directives, will help you learn more about advance directives.
Sample Form
Download a sample advance health care directive form from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This sample form is provided for informational and educational purposes and is not intended as legal or medical advice. If you choose to use this form or make your own advance directive, you should consult with your physician and your attorney to be sure that your wishes are clearly stated and comply with the law.
For more information about advance directives, please ask your nurse or social worker, or call the Paoli Hospital Department of Social Work at 484-565-1206.
Bioethics Committee
The Bioethics Committee is available to patients and family members to discuss bioethical issues that may arise in the course of care. The Bioethics Committee consists of physicians, nurses, a social worker, an administrator and clergy. To ensure your privacy, all Bioethics Committee business is kept strictly confidential. To arrange for a special meeting, ask your nurse, physician, social worker or case manager.
Organ Donation
Recent legislation requires hospitals to notify the Gift of Life Donor Program upon every impending death to determine a person's suitability as an organ and/or tissue donor. Sharing your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation with your family, and including your wishes in your living will, releases your family from making a difficult decision on your behalf. Our staff can assist you and your family with questions about organ and tissue donation. Our organization is a member of the Gift of Life Donor Program.
