Understanding Your Right to Refuse Medical Treatment: A Guide

Under U.S. law, every adult has the right to refuse medical treatment for themselves and their minor children. Whenever you are conscious and able to make decisions, you may verbally refuse medical treatment. However, it is always prudent to also prepare backup documents in the event that you arrive at the hospital and are unable to refuse treatment.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask lots of questions before you agree to any medical procedure or treatment. By law, the hospital must give you full disclosure and, upon request, published information on the procedure and its benefits and risks.

• 2

  Refuse to sign the informed consent document when you enter the hospital, as doing so authorizes the doctor to do whatever he feels is in your best interest.

• 3

  Expressly state any religious or other reasons why a certain procedure cannot be done. For instance, practicing Jehovah's Witnesses cannot have blood transfusions.

• 4

  Draft and sign a living will. A living will is a legal document that describes in detail what a hospital may and may not do to you. While this document will be honored by hospitals, paramedics may still require that you undergo life sustaining measures if they transport you.

• 5

  Leave a copy of your living will with your emergency contact person and your doctor. This will ensure that both points of contact know your wishes and will instruct others to proceed appropriately.