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The Utah Healthcare Directive form is a crucial legal document that empowers individuals to make their healthcare preferences known, particularly in situations where they may be unable to communicate their wishes due to illness or incapacity. This directive is structured into several parts, each serving a distinct purpose. In the first part, individuals can appoint an agent—a trusted person who will make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they cannot do so themselves. The second part allows individuals to articulate their specific healthcare wishes, including preferences for life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. Importantly, this section offers options ranging from allowing the appointed agent full discretion to making explicit choices about the extent of medical interventions desired. The third part outlines the procedures for revoking or altering the directive, ensuring that individuals retain control over their healthcare decisions throughout their lives. Finally, the fourth part formalizes the document, affirming that the individual is making these choices voluntarily and is mentally competent to do so. By understanding the components of the Utah Healthcare Directive form, individuals can navigate the complexities of healthcare decision-making with clarity and confidence.

File Information

Fact Name Description
Governing Law This form is governed by Utah Code Section 75-2a-117, effective since 2008.
Purpose The Utah Advance Healthcare Directive allows you to specify your healthcare wishes and appoint someone to make decisions for you.
Part I This section lets you name an agent who will make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you cannot.
Part II In this part, you can write down your specific healthcare wishes and preferences.
Revocation You can revoke or change the directive by destroying the document or signing a new one.
Legal Validity The directive becomes legally binding once you sign it, confirming you understand your choices.
Agent's Authority Your agent can make a variety of healthcare decisions, including consenting to or refusing treatment.
Guardian Nomination You can nominate your agent to serve as your guardian if necessary, even though it may not be required.
Organ Donation Your agent can consent to organ donation on your behalf if you have not already agreed to it.
Witness Requirement A witness must be present when you sign the directive, confirming they meet specific criteria.

Documents used along the form

The Utah Healthcare Directive form is an essential document for individuals wishing to outline their healthcare preferences and designate a decision-maker in case they become unable to communicate. In addition to this directive, several other forms and documents are commonly used to ensure comprehensive healthcare planning. Below is a list of these documents along with brief descriptions of each.

  • Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows an individual to appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated. It grants the designated person authority to make choices regarding medical treatment and care.
  • Living Will: A living will specifies an individual’s preferences for medical treatment in situations where they are unable to express their wishes, particularly concerning end-of-life care. It serves to guide healthcare providers and loved ones in making decisions aligned with the person's values.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: A DNR order is a medical order that indicates a person does not want to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest. This document must be signed by a physician and is typically placed in the individual's medical record.
  • Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA): A Missouri Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal document designed to protect confidential information shared between parties. By outlining the terms of confidentiality, this form helps prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data. To ensure your information remains secure, consider filling out the NDA form by clicking the button below: Missouri PDF Forms.
  • Organ Donation Consent Form: This form allows individuals to express their wishes regarding organ donation after death. It can be included with the healthcare directive or completed separately to ensure that healthcare providers are aware of the individual's intentions.
  • Healthcare Proxy Form: Similar to the durable power of attorney for healthcare, this form specifically designates a person to make medical decisions on behalf of someone else. It is often used in conjunction with a living will to provide clarity on the individual's healthcare preferences.

These documents work together to create a comprehensive healthcare plan that respects an individual's wishes and ensures that their preferences are honored in times of medical crisis. Properly completing and storing these forms can provide peace of mind for both the individual and their loved ones.

Common mistakes

Filling out the Utah Healthcare Directive form can be straightforward, but many people make mistakes that can complicate their wishes. One common error is failing to name an agent. Part I of the form allows you to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. If you skip this step without clearly indicating that you do not wish to appoint an agent, it may lead to confusion during a critical time when decisions need to be made.

Another mistake is not discussing your healthcare wishes with your chosen agent. It’s important to communicate your preferences clearly. If your agent is unaware of your values and desires, they may struggle to make decisions that align with what you would want. This lack of communication can lead to decisions that do not reflect your true wishes.

People often overlook the importance of specifying limits on the agent’s authority. In Part I, Section F, you can define any restrictions or expansions of your agent's powers. Not taking the time to do this can result in your agent having more authority than you intended, which might lead to decisions that you would not have made yourself.

Lastly, many individuals forget to sign and date the directive properly. Part IV requires your signature to make the document legal. Without this crucial step, the directive may not be recognized, and your healthcare wishes may not be honored. Always ensure that the form is completed in its entirety, including the witness signature, to avoid any potential issues.

Document Preview Example

 

Utah Advance Healthcare Directive

 

(Pursuant to Utah Code Section 75-2a-117, effective 2008)

 

This form contains no modifications from the statutory form.

 

 

Part I:

Allows you to name another the person to make health care decisions for you when you cannot

 

make decisions or speak for yourself.

Part II:

Allows you to record your wishes about health care in writing.

Part III:

Tells you how to revoke or change this directive.

Part IV:

Makes your directive legal.

 

 

My Personal Information

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _____________________ Cell Phone: (_______) _____________________

Birth Date: ____________________________

Part I: My Agent (Health Care Power of Attorney)

A: No Agent

If you do not want to name an agent, initial the box below, then go to Part II; do not name an agent in B or C be- low. No one can force you to name an agent.

I do not want to choose an agent.

B: My Agent

Agent’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _____________________ Cell Phone: (_______) _____________________

Birth Date: ____________________________

C: My Alternate Agent

This person will serve as your agent if your agent, named above, is unable or unwilling to serve.

Agent’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Street Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________________________________________

Telephone: (_______) _____________________ Cell Phone: (_______) _____________________

Birth Date: ____________________________

Page 1 of 4

Part I: My Agent (continued)

D: Agent’s Authority

If I cannot make decisions or speak for myself (in other words, after my physician or APRN finds that I lack health care decision making capacity under Section 75-2a-104 of the Advance Health Care Directive Act), my agent has the power to make any health care decision I could have made such as, but not limited to:

Consent to, refuse, or withdraw any health care. This may include care to prolong my life such as food and fluids by tube, use of antibiotics, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and dialysis, and mental health care, such as convulsive therapy and psychoactive medications. This authority is subject to any limits in paragraph F of Part I or in Part II of this directive.

Hire and fire health care providers.

Ask questions and get answers from health care providers.

Consent to admission or transfer to a health care provider or health care facility, including a mental health facility, subject to any limits in paragraphs E or F of Part I.

Get copies of my medical records.

Ask for consultations or second opinions.

My agent cannot force health care against my will, even if a physician has found that I lack health care decision making capacity.

E: Other Authority

My agent has the powers below ONLY IF I initial the “YES” option that precedes the statement. I authorize my agent to:

____YES

____ NO

Get copies of my medical records at any time, even when I can speak for myself.

____YES

____ NO

Admit me to a licensed health care facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, assisted living,

 

 

or other facility for long-term placement other than convalescent or recuperative care.

F: Limits/Expansion of Authority

I wish to limit or expand the powers of my health care agent as follows:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

G: Nomination of Guardian

Even though appointing an agent should help you avoid a guardianship, a guardianship may still be necessary. Initial the "YES" option if you want the court to appoint your agent or, if your agent is unable or unwilling to serve, your alternate agent, to serve as your guardian, if a guardianship is ever necessary.

____YES ____ NO I, being of sound mind and not acting under duress, fraud, or other undue influence, do hereby

nominate my agent, or if my agent is unable or unwilling to serve, I hereby nominate my alternate agent, to serve as my guardian in the event that, after the date of this instrument, I become incapaci- tated.

H: Consent to Participate in Medical Research

____YES ____ NO I authorize my agent to consent to my participation in medical research or clinical trials, even if I

may not benefit from the results.

I: Organ Donation

____YES ____ NO If I have not otherwise agreed to organ donation, my agent may consent to the donation of my

organs for the purpose of organ transplantation.

Name: ______________________________________________ (print or type)

Page 2 of 4

Part II: My Health Care Wishes (Living Will)

I want my health care providers to follow the instructions I give them when I am being treated, even if my instructions conflict with these or other advance directives. My health care providers should always provide health care to keep me as comfortable and functional as possible.

Choose only one of the following options, numbered Option 1 through Option 4, by placing your initials before the numbered statement. Do not initial more than one option. If you do not wish to document end-of-life wishes, initial Option 4. You may choose to draw a line through the options that you are not choosing.

Option 1

______________

Initial

I choose to let my agent decide. I have chosen my agent carefully. I have talked with my agent about my health care wishes. I trust my agent to make the health care decisions for me that I would make under the circumstances.

Additional Comments:

Option 2

 

I choose to prolong life. Regardless of my condition or prognosis, I want my health care team

______________

to try to prolong my life as long as possible within the limits of generally accepted health care

 

Initial

standards.

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Option 3

 

 

__________

Initial

I choose not to receive care for the purpose of prolonging life, including food and fluids by tube, antibiotics, CPR, or dialysis being used to prolong my life. I always want comfort care and routine medical care that will keep me as comfortable and functional as possible, even if that care may prolong my life.

If you choose this option, you must also choose either (a) or (b), below

 

_________

(a) I put no limit on the ability of my health care provider or agent to withhold or withdraw life-

 

sustaining care. If you selected (a), above, do not choose any options under (b).

 

Initial

 

 

 

 

_________

(b) My health care provider should withhold or withdraw life-sustaining care if at least one of

 

the initialed conditions is met:

 

Initial

 

 

 

 

Option

 

I have a progressive illness that will cause death

 

3(b)

 

 

 

 

I am close to death and am unlikely to recover

 

only

 

 

 

 

 

You may

 

I cannot communicate and it is unlikely that my condition will improve

 

 

 

 

initial

 

I do not recognize my friends or family and it is unlikely that my condition will improve

 

more than

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am in a persistent vegetative state

 

one option

 

Other:

 

Option 4

______________

I do not wish to express preferences about health care wishes in this directive.

Initial

 

Other:

 

 

 

Name: ______________________________________________ (print or type)

Page 3 of 4

Part II: My Health Care Wishes (continued)

Additional instructions about your health care wishes:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you do not want emergency medical service providers to provide CPR or other life sustaining measures, you must work with a physician or APRN to complete an order that reflects your wishes on a form approved by the Utah Department of Health.

Part III: Revoking or Changing a Directive

I may revoke or change this directive by:

Writing “void” across the form, burning, tearing, or otherwise destroying or defacing this document or directing an- other person to do the same on my behalf;

Signing a written revocation of the directive, or directing another person to sign a revocation on my behalf;

Stating that I wish to revoke the directive in the presence of a witness who: is 18 years of age or older; will not be ap- pointed as my agent in a substitute directive; will not become a default surrogate if the directive is revoked; and signs and dates a written document confirming my statement; or

Signing a new directive. (If you sign more than one Advance Health Care Directive, the most recent one applies.)

Part IV: Making the Document Legal

I sign this directive voluntarily. I understand the choices I have made and declare that I am emotionally and mentally competent to make this directive. My signature on this form revokes any living will or power of attorney form nam- ing a health care agent that I have completed in the past.

___________________________ ___________________________________________________________

DateSignature

___________________________________________________________

City, County, and State of Residence

I have witnessed the signing of this directive, I am 18 years of age or older, and I am not:

Related to the declarant by blood or marriage;

Entitled to any portion of the declarant's estate according to the laws of intestate succession of any state or jurisdiction or under any will or codicil of the declarant,

A beneficiary of a life insurance policy, trust, qualified plan, pay on death account, or transfer or death deed that is held, owned, made, or established by, or on behalf of, the declarant;

Entitled to benefit financially upon the death of the declarant;

Entitled to a right to, or interest in, real or personal property upon the death of the declarant;

Directly financially responsible for the declarant's medical care;

A health care provider who is providing care to the declarant or an administrator at a health care facility in which the de- clarant is receiving care; or

The appointed agent or alternate agent.

_______________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Signature of Witness

Printed Name of Witness

 

 

_______________________________________________

______________________

_________

______________

Street Address

City

State

Zip

If the witness is signing to confirm an oral directive, describe below the circumstances under which the directive was made.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________________________________ (print or type)

Page 4 of 4

Similar forms

  • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care: Similar to the Utah Healthcare Directive, this document allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions on your behalf when you cannot. It also includes specific instructions about your health care preferences.
  • Living Will: Like the Utah Healthcare Directive, a living will outlines your wishes regarding medical treatment in situations where you are unable to communicate. It focuses specifically on end-of-life care and life-sustaining treatments.
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order: This document indicates that you do not want CPR or other life-saving measures in case your heart stops or you stop breathing. It complements the directives in the Utah Healthcare Directive by providing specific instructions for emergency situations.
  • Articles of Incorporation: Essential for establishing a corporation in Ohio, this legal document details the company's name, purpose, and structure. Proper completion is vital for anyone looking to create a business entity in Ohio. For more information, visit Ohio PDF Forms.
  • Advance Directive: An advance directive is a broader term that includes any written statement about your health care preferences, similar to the Utah Healthcare Directive. It helps ensure your wishes are followed when you cannot speak for yourself.
  • Health Care Proxy: This document appoints someone to make health care decisions for you, similar to the agent designation in the Utah Healthcare Directive. It is used when you are incapacitated and unable to express your wishes.
  • Patient Advocate: A patient advocate is someone you designate to help communicate your health care preferences and decisions. This role is akin to the agent in the Utah Healthcare Directive, focusing on ensuring your voice is heard.
  • Organ Donation Consent Form: This form allows you to express your wishes regarding organ donation, similar to the organ donation section in the Utah Healthcare Directive. It ensures that your intentions are clear to medical personnel.
  • Mental Health Advance Directive: This document outlines your preferences for mental health treatment when you cannot make decisions. It is similar to the healthcare directive in that it provides guidance on your treatment preferences during a mental health crisis.

Key takeaways

  • The Utah Healthcare Directive allows individuals to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so themselves.

  • This form is divided into four parts, each serving a specific purpose, from naming an agent to detailing health care wishes.

  • It is important to discuss your healthcare preferences with your chosen agent before completing the form to ensure they understand your wishes.

  • Individuals can choose to have an alternate agent in case the primary agent is unavailable or unwilling to act.

  • Healthcare decisions made by your agent can include consenting to or refusing treatments, hiring healthcare providers, and accessing medical records.

  • Limitations on the agent's authority can be specified in the directive, allowing for customized control over healthcare decisions.

  • Revoking or changing the directive is straightforward; it can be done by writing "void" on the form or creating a new directive.

  • Signing the directive requires you to be of sound mind, ensuring that your decisions are made voluntarily and without pressure.

  • It’s essential to understand that the directive should be updated if your preferences or circumstances change over time.