SME: Medical Director
Last Review Date: 6 /6/07
Last Review Date: 10/19/10
Last Review Date: 08/31/11
UTHCPC follows the patient's wishes regarding resuscitative services and life-sustaining
treatment. Decisions regarding withholding resuscitative services or life-sustaining
treatment are among the most difficult choices facing UTHCPC patients, families,
and health care professionals.
The following UTHCPC documents are required for withholding resuscitation or life-sustaining treatment:
 |
| Properly executed Advance Directives |
 | Natural Death Act |
| The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Act |
| Texas Law regarding informed consent and the patient's right to accept or refuse medical, surgical, or mental health treatment |
| Chapter 137 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code relating to declarations for mental health treatment |
It is the policy of UTHCPC to provide resuscitation services for all patients except in the following conditions:
| An active Advanced Directive regarding a terminal patient is available |
| A known Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status exists |
The physician must:
| Make every effort to clarify any exceptions to the above procedures |
| Ensure that the treatment team is aware of these situations and makes treatment decisions accordingly |
| Obtain prior instructions regarding resuscitation and potential medical emergencies |
Advance directives:
The treatment team must know the following regarding advance directives:
| Whether the patient has a prior Advanced Directive |
| Has just initiated one |
| Prefers not to have one |
Clinical staff responsibilities:
The social service worker, nurse and attending physician have and must follow the responsibilities described in detail in the "Advanced Directives" document.
Terminal patients:
Terminal patients are typically transferred to another facility.
Physician responsibilities toward terminal patients:
The attending physician is responsible for the following:
| Must enact the advanced directive according to legislative guidelines |
| If he/she chooses not to follow the patient's advanced directive, must undertake specific alternative actions |
Patient revocation:
The patient may revoke or re-execute an Advanced Directive at any time
Advanced directives information:
Additional details regarding Advanced Directives are found in the State of Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 166.
Consultation with appropriate professionals at UTHCPC or in the UT-Houston Health Science Center is advised whenever uncertainty regarding clinical, ethical, or legal issues involved in these decisions exists.
The Joint Commission : Provision of Care
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