Advance Directive

All patients have the right to participate in their own health care decisions and to make advance directives or to execute powers of attorney that authorize others to make decisions on their behalf based on the patient’s expressed wishes when the patient is unable to make decisions or unable to communicate decisions. This surgery center respects and upholds those rights.

However, unlike in an acute care hospital setting, the surgery center does not routinely perform “high risk” procedures. Most procedures performed in this facility are considered to be of minimal risk. Of course, no surgery is without risk. You will discuss the specifics of your procedure with your physician who can answer your questions as to its risks, your expected recovery and care after your surgery.

Therefore, it is our policy, regardless of the contents of any advance directive or instructions from a health care surrogate attorney in fact, that if an adverse event occurs during your treatment at this facility, we will initiate resuscitation or other stabilizing measures and transfer you to an acute care hospital for further evaluation. At the acute care hospital, further treatment or withdrawal of treatment measures already begun will be ordered in accordance with your wishes, advance directive or health care power of attorney. Your agreement with this policy does not revoke or invalidate any current health care directive or health care power of attorney.

Upon request we will provide you with the contact information and forms to assist in writing an Advance Directive.

Information can also be obtained by:

• Requesting information from Wesmark Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Calling Caring Connections at 800-658-8898
• On the web at www.state.sc.us/dmh/804-97.htm