Advance Directives
The WSMA supports assurance that the specific wishes of the individual
patient as specified in their Advance Directive be strictly honored in or
out of the hospital setting. (Res A-4, A-93; Res A 5, A-06) (Reaffirmed
A-19)
The WSMA reiterates its endorsements of the patient's – or the patient's
designated or court appointed representative's – prerogative of
formulating advance directives that ought to be properly honored
regardless of location. (Res C-6, A-95; Res A 5, A-06) (Reaffirmed A-19)
The WSMA encourages physicians to counsel all patients to take advantage
of advance directives. (EC Rpt G, A-96) (Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA encourages its members to assure that they and their families,
friends, and patients have all explored and discussed the options
available with regard to Advance Directives and Durable Powers of
Attorney, have considered discussing same with their family members and
have executed appropriately signed forms in all instances where they have
concluded such would be of value to them. (Res A-1, A-02) (Reaffirmed
A-23)
The WSMA strongly believes the social commitment of the physician is to
prolong life and relieve suffering. For humane reasons, with informed
consent, a physician may do what is medically necessary to alleviate
severe pain, or cease or omit treatment, including nutrition and hydration
by other than normal natural methods, to let a terminally ill patient
die.. (Reaffirmed A-23) (Amended A-23)
The WSMA affirms that where a terminally ill patient's coma is beyond
doubt irreversible and there are adequate safeguards to confirm the
accuracy of the diagnosis, all means of life support may be discontinued.
(Reaffirmed A-23)
The WSMA encourages physicians, if arriving at decisions involving the
withholding or withdrawing of invasive or extraordinary means, to have
informed involvement of the patient or the patient's family or guardian.
(Res 28, A-91; JC 2.14-87; Res 3, B-90; CHS Rpt H, '83) (Reaffirmed A-23)
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Abbreviations for House of Delegates report origination:
EC – Executive Committee; BT – Board of Trustees; CPA – Council on
Professional Affairs; JC – Judicial Council; CHS – Community and Health
Services