Find information on: COVID-19 Vaccine | New Visitor Guidelines DOCTORS SERVICES LOCATIONS Home Patient & Visitor Resources Support Services Advanced Directives Advanced Directives PAGES IN THIS SECTION As a patient, you have the right to make your own informed decisions about medical care and to communicate these decisions to healthcare providers. If, however, through sickness or injury you become unable to make informed decisions about your medical care-including whether to accept or refuse treatment-how will your healthcare providers and family know your wishes? What is an Advanced Directive? An advance directive is a legal document that allows you to state your choices for medical treatment before you actually need such care. When you need medical care, certain decisions need to be made involving the kind of care to be given. These decisions may become harder if you become unable to tell your doctor and loved ones what kind of medical care you want. Taking the time to fill out an advance directive also gives you the opportunity to tell health care providers what your wishes are regarding your treatment and allows you to name a person to make treatment decisions for you in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself. A signed advance directive will only be followed in the event that you become mentally or physically unable to convey your wishes regarding medical care decisions. This section contains information about the kinds of advance directives available and when they become effective, what the eligibility requirements are and the exceptions and considerations in making advance directives. Your physician, nurse or the University Health Patient Satisfaction/Customer Service office can provide information and sample forms. They can also be downloaded below. You also have the option to learn more about advance directives at LivingWillForms.org/tx, which is a web site set up to assist you in completing your advance directive on line in English, or you can also choose your preferred language. LivingWillForms.org/tx also allows you and your witnesses the option to sign your advance directive documents electronically. Types of Advanced Directives WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF "ADVANCE DIRECTIVES"? MUST I EXECUTE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE? DO I GIVE UP QUALITY MEDICAL CARE IF I EXECUTE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE? WHAT KINDS OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME TO CONSIDER? DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIANS AND FAMILY OR SURROGATES MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY AN OUT-OF-HOSPITAL DO NOT RESUSCITATE (DNR) ORDER WHAT IS "COMPETENT"? WHEN DOES AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE TAKE EFFECT? IS AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE A LEGAL DOCUMENT? MUST IT BE DRAWN UP BY A LAWYER AND NOTARIZED? CAN A NON-WRITTEN (ORAL) STATEMENT QUALIFY AS AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE? WHO WITNESSES AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE? WHAT HAPPENS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION OR IF THE PERSON IS ADMITTED TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL? CAN AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE BE CHANGED OR EVEN CANCELLED? WHEN SHOULD I EXECUTE AN ADVANCE DIRECTIVE? WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE? WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO MAKE A DIRECTIVE TO PHYSICIANS OR MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY? WHO MAKES THESE DECISIONS FOR CHILDREN? 4502 Medical Drive San Antonio, Texas 78229 210-358-4000 ABOUT US Contact Us Billing & Insurance Classes & Events Newsroom Notice of Adopted 2021 Tax Rate Public Notices & Reports Vendor Opportunities CAREERS Featured Jobs Benefits Nursing Physician Opportunties FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS Fellowship Programs Residency Programs Clinicals & Internships © COPYRIGHT 2021 UNIVERSITY HEALTH. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRIVACY POLICY NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES