National Healthcare Decision Day:PULSE of NY Urges People to Plan Ahead.

PULSE of NY is urging people to plan ahead for decisions regarding their end of life care. Joined by other national, state and local organizations, PULSE is leading an effort to raise awareness for National Healthcare Decision Day (NHDD) – April 16.

"It certainly is no fun to think about the kind of medical care you would want if you were suddenly incapacitated. But it’s one of the most crucial and overlooked decisions," said Ilene Corina, PULSE of NY President. "Making your wishes known can save your loved ones the agony of having to decide for you. "

Started in 2008, NHDD coincided with the release of a national survey that showed people are more likely to talk to their kids about drugs and sex, than they are to talk to their parents about end of life care.

National Healthcare Decisions Day highlights the need for people to make their wishes known. Those decisions can be documented in an Advance Health Care Directive that lets family and physicians know exactly what medical procedures should or should not take place. The form – which takes less than an hour to complete – may include preferences about end-of-life treatments and pain management, directions about funeral arrangements and organ donation.

A simpler document is a Healthcare Proxy form. "We recommend that everyone fill out this form," said Patricia Mulholland, a registered nurse and member of the PULSE Patient Safety Advisory Council. "A healthcare proxy is someone that you designate to communicate your wishes if you are unable to do so. You don’t need a lawyer to fill out the form but it’s the most important legal document you’ll ever sign: Your life may depend on it."

To download a Healthcare proxy form visit the PULSE website at www.pulseofny.org and link onto "Preparing to be a Patient or Advocate"  or go directly to:  http://www.pulseofny.org/resources/HealthCareProxy.pdf

For more information call PULSE at 516-579-4711.

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PULSE of NY is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to raising awareness about patient safety and reducing medical errors through advocacy, education, and support. We work to empower the public to make informed decisions, increase effective communication and respect between healthcare providers and the public, and create community partnerships that will foster and ultimately lead to safer healthcare environments. To learn about PULSE of NY go to www.pulseofny.org or visit www.pulseamerica.org to see if there is a PULSE near you.