Madera Community Hospital Medical Forms

You may be asked if you have a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and Advance Healthcare Directive and/or a POLST.

An Advance Healthcare Directive (AHD) is a document allowing you to make a decision in advance of the need for the decision. It is designed to direct medical care for you if you are unable to do so. This is helpful for adults of all ages and is useful in situations where you cannot speak for yourself. Completing the AHD does not mean you do not want treatment. It is designed to give specific direction to your physicians and your family.

An Advance Healthcare Directive can help put your mind at ease and enhance your doctor's and your family's knowledge regarding your wishes for medical treatment. An AHD can prevent treatment you would not choose for yourself and decrease feelings of helplessness or guilt for your family.

Advance Healthcare Directives often include instructions on:

• Whether or not to continue life sustaining treatment
• Any medical procedures you do not want performed for either personal or religious reasons
• Whether to continue your care in the hospital, an assisted care facility, or with a trusted loved one
• Who to contact in the event of an emergency
• Whether or not your family or friends can be consulted regarding your care

Because it is almost impossible to plan for every contingency, many people designate a trusted friend or family member to act as point of contact for doctors if they are unable to communicate. This individual will be responsible for making important medical decisions on your behalf.

Creating Advance Directives can be challenging. You may want to talk with your doctor about what sort of information should be included in your instructions.

• Advance Healthcare Directives
• Spanish Version

Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document giving someone else the right to make a decision for you.

POLST

A Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment is a doctor's order honoring the patient's end of life treatment preferences; to have or to limit treatment, even when transferred from one care setting to another. A POLST is most appropriate for seriously ill persons with life-limiting or terminal illness or advanced frailty characterized by significant weakness and extreme difficulty with personal care activities.

To request a copy of your medical record complete the "Authorization to Disclose Health Information" form found in the link below.

Bring the completed form, along with photo identification to:

Hours: Monday- Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

559-675-5415

Once Madera Community Hospital's Health Information Management Department receives your request, please allow five business days to process your request.

• Request a Copy of Your Medical Records
• Spanish Version

Medication Tracking Form

La Forma Medicamentos