Advance Directive
An advance directive speaks for you if you are unable to speak and helps to assure that your religious and personal beliefs will be respected. It is a useful document for an adult of any age to plan for future health care needs.
The Surgery Center of Athens supports the patient’s rights to make legally valid informed decisions about future medical treatment. We have a formal process that is established to inform patients of their rights to direct their own medical care and to inform health care personnel regarding the utilization of advance directives. In the ambulatory care setting, if a patient should suffer a cardiac or respiratory arrest or other life-threatening situation, the signed consent implies consent for resuscitation and transfer to a higher level of care.
If you have an Advance Directive, federal regulations require a that a copy is available. Please bring it with you on the day of surgery. If you would like more information regarding Advance Directives, we have information packets available to you.
Information can also be obtained at:
DHS Division of Aging Services
Two Peachtree Street, NW
33rd Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142
Phone: 404.657.5258
Fax: 404.657.5285
Toll Free: 1-866-55-AGING or 1-866-552-4464