Medical Directives Aren't always enough by Hillarie Levy for the Ventura County, California Acorn Newspaper

The Kaiser Papers A Public Service Web Site

robynlibitsky.kaiserpapers.info

This web site is in no way affiliated or endorsed by Kaiser Permanente
In Copyright Since September 11, 2000
Link for Translation of the Kaiser Papers

To Text Version

Medical Directives aren't always enough - Ventura County Acorn - October 2, 2007

Text Version of the above Letter to the Acorn Newspaper
" Medical directives aren't always enough "

This is in response to "Residents attend workshop on difficult, but important topic," concerning medical directives.

The information was very helpful but there is additional information your readers need to know to further protect themselves.

In the case of my dying daughter, the physician ignored her medical directive in her chart (concerning organ donation), in violation of California Probate Code 4773 (a). Correction as it should be California Probate Code 4733 (a) .

Although we presented clear and convincing evidence, Kaiser and the DMHC continue to defend and make excuses for these actions. Also, her boss and therapist presented a non legitimate medical directive to the hospital ombudsman, which was accepted without determining its authenticity.

They then attempted to try to remove her from the hospital against doctors' orders with the purpose of gaining access to her condo and its contents.

They were aware my daughter had a large estate.

Just having a medical directive isn't enough. Vigilance is a must.

Hillarie Levy
Simi Valley

California Probate Code - 4733

4733.  Except as provided in Sections 4734 and 4735, a health care
provider or health care institution providing care to a patient shall
do the following:
   (a) Comply with an individual health care instruction of the
patient and with a reasonable interpretation of that instruction made
by a person then authorized to make health care decisions for the
patient.
   (b) Comply with a health care decision for the patient made by a
person then authorized to make health care decisions for the patient
to the same extent as if the decision had been made by the patient
while having capacity.

To The Kaiser Papers

robynlibitsky.kaiserpapers.info