A medical proxy is also known as a health-care proxy or medical power of attorney. It is a legal agreement where you appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make a medical decision for yourself.
Why Do I Need One?
There are two situations when a medical proxy is needed: when you are temporarily unable to make a health-care decision or if you are permanently unable to make your own decision. For instance, if you were having surgery and something happened while under anesthesia where a choice had to be made, without a medical proxy in place, the surgery would have to stop. You would have to come out from under the anesthesia and then be asked your preference and go through the surgery preparation procedures all over again.
Who Should I Appoint?
It may be difficult to decide whom you should choose to make medical decisions on your behalf. When making your choice, consider if the person will be able to make tough decisions, based on your wishes, when faced with a situation and whether the person can understand the medical information regarding your treatment.
How Do I Appoint Someone?
A medical proxy is a legal document and the requirements vary by state. You can obtain a proxy form from an attorney or some hospitals. Once the form is completed, you will want to share a copy with your primary physician as well as provide the person whom you appointed a copy. You can also register your medical proxy with an online database, OnlineMedicalRegistries.com, which, according to the site, allows “accredited, registered hospitals and healthcare providers access, if needed.”
