Preparation a smart move

  • Published
  • By Col. (Dr.) Dianne Harris
  • 60th Surgical Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Efforts to maintain good health can often lead to minor surgeries or other medical procedures. Many times, patients don't think about the unthinkable-what if something happens? What if things don't go as planned?

Preparing for the unexpected can ease the burden for family members and help patients communicate their wishes in case of the unexpected.

Patients should ask themselves, "Is there anything I can do to make sure my doctors and family know my healthcare preferences in the event I become incapacitated?"

Whether it's a medical condition that incapacitates a person or an accident, it is important for someone else to know what the patient would want done or not done medically if the person could not speak for him or herself.

Other questions to consider include, "Would I want chest compressions if my heart stopped? Would I want a breathing tube? If so, would I want one short term verses long term? Would I want a feeding tube or other artificial nutrition?"

Answers to those questions can be placed in an advance directive. An advance directive is a document used to itemize the patient's wishes during a medical crisis or in the event of a long-term debilitating condition. Healthcare providers want to honor patient's wishes.

"I have an advance directive on file in my medical record, and I carry a copy in my purse in case something happens and there is no access to my medical records," said Billie Evans, a volunteer staff member at David Grant USAF Medical Center. "With an advance directive, everything is clearly spelled out. As a military widow, it is comforting to know there will be no burden on my children guessing what my wishes are," she said.

"Advance directives are critically important in allowing you to communicate your treatment preferences during times of serious illnesses, when incapacitated, and for end-of-life issues," explained Colonel (Dr.) Michael Koteles, 60th Medical Operations Squadron endocrinologist and deputy flight commander of the 60th Medical Services Flight. "One form of an advanced directive is a durable power of attorney for health care.

This document allows a person you trust to make health care decisions if you are unable to do so."

However, an advance directive can't address every possible scenario.

A durable power of attorney for health care is a legal document in which patients indicate who they would want to make medical decisions for them if they are unable. That person would function as a surrogate and should be someone the patient trusts to serve in their best interests, said Dr. Koteles.

But, cautions DGMC medical staff, Team Travis' most "senior warriors" should not be the only ones thinking about having an advance directive either.

"Unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death of young adults," explained 2Lt. Jon M. Mendez, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Flight Medicine. "Believe you're too young to need an advance directive? Your lifetime odds of having a fatal motor vehicle accident are one in 84," said Lt. Mendez. "We can't plan for accidents, but at least we can have a plan in place for when they do happen."

DGMC's Family Medicine clinic is offering a new service for patients who want in-depth information about these documents.

"Group appointments are available for all beneficiaries in DGMC's Family Medicine Clinic. They will help educate patients on the various end-of-life forms, key differences between forms, and their purpose and importance," explained Maj. (Dr.) Katie Crowder, 60 MDOS Family Medicine Clinic. "This group appointment will have several providers present to help answer simple or detailed questions and will even assist individuals who are ready to complete any of the forms at the conclusion of the appointment."

The first appointment is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., June 20 in the family medicine conference room. Subsequent appointments will take place 5:30-6:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month.

Please ask your provider for a referral as space is limited, but don't just talk to your healthcare team. Talk to your spouse and your children. They are who your medical staff will turn to if you can't speak for yourself. Addressing these issues before a medical crisis is the best thing you can do to make sure your doctors and family know your health care preferences in the event you become incapacitated.