Hospital Highlights

National Healthcare Decision Day is April 16. It was designated to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning.

Whitman Hospital and Medical Center will provide information and tools for individuals to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers Thursday, April 17, from 2 to 4 p.m in the hospital’s administrative annex. There will also be information on how to execute written advance directives such as health care power of attorney and living will in accordance with Washington state laws.

The website for decision day has 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 healthcare decisions and how to execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living wills) in accordance with state laws.

(www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org )

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 providers will have to struggle with making difficult decisions, and providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and 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.

Debbie Glass, CEO

Whitman Hosptilal & Medical Center