Hospital highlights

National Healthcare Decision Day was April 16. It was designated to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning. The website offers a wealth of information about what to do to plan for care if you are not able to speak for yourself. Information includes things to consider for future health care decisions and how to execute written advance directives.

Without these written and properly completed documents, healthcare providers must do everything possible on your behalf when you are not able to speak for yourself and tell us your wishes.

As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, we hope that many more people in our community will have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known.

You should include those who are important to you in making these decisions including family and clergy. It is so much better if your family knows your wishes ahead of time. Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient, and healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and be better able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so. Be sure to give your medical provider and hospital a copy of your advance directives.

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center is providing information and tools for individuals to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers on Saturday, April 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Administrative Annex. There will also be information on how to execute written advance directives in accordance with Washington state laws. Door prizes and refreshments will be available. Several representatives will include a MedStar helicopter with a chance to win a one year MedStar membership.

Debbie Glass, CEO

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center