Your living will does not go into effect just because of a medical emergency or an overnight hospital stay. It only becomes operative in more serious medical circumstances.
Under Rhode Island’s health care statutes, your living will only goes into effect in the event that you become unable to consent to treatment, have a terminal condition, and your attending physician is aware of your living will.
Your doctors may not act on the directions in your living will if you are still able to communicate your treatment preferences. Your doctors must consult with you directly about your treatment choices as long as you are able to understand your options and give informed consent about medical treatment.