Walla Walla General Hospital, in accordance with religious beliefs and federal and state law, affirms your right to make your own health care decisions.

If you do not want to receive certain types of treatment or you wish to name someone to make health care decisions for you, you have the right to make those wishes known to your doctor, hospital or other health care provider, and in general, have these rights respected. However, there may be times when you cannot make your wishes known to your doctor or other health care providers.

Advance Directives
Advance directives allow you to indicate, ahead of time, what your intentions for your health care would be in you became unable to make those decisions for yourself. Once you have completed advance directives, you continue to make health care decisions for yourself as long as you are able.

Our goal is to provide you with information that will help you decide whether or not you wish to exercise your right to make healthcare decisions ahead of time and to assist you at your request. If you would like to know more about advance directives, you may request a copy of the Washington or Oregon Advance Directives booklet from the registration staff.

The American Hospital Association offers a web resource with easy-to-use, helpful information on advanced directives called Putting It In Writing. The site is in both Spanish and English. Elements of the site include:

• Wallet Card - a printable card that alerts healthcare workers that the card-carrying patient has filled out an advance directive. The card also provides emergency contact names and numbers.
• Put It In Writing brochure
• Glossary - simple explanations of frequently used terms like living will, advance directive and durable power of attorney for healthcare.
• Advance Directive links and toolkit - links include the National Palliative and Hospice Care Organization's free, state-specific, advance directives list. Also highlighted is the American Bar Association's Web Guide, 10 Legal Myths About Advance Directives and toolkit.