What Is a Healthcare Proxy?
Key Takeaways
- A healthcare proxy is a legal document that lets you choose someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to make decisions.
- Choosing the right person is important—select someone who understands your values and can make decisions under pressure.
- An advance directive provides specific instructions regarding your treatment preferences, particularly concerning end-of-life care.
- Smart Phone Emergency Medical ID (SEMID), a feature available on most smartphones, is useful in the care of patients who cannot provide medical information.
Planning ahead for your medical care is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Establishing a healthcare proxy—sometimes called a medical power of attorney—and a living will is key for medical emergencies during which you may not be able to communicate.
We asked Margaret Vercruysse, LPN, Lead Trauma Registrar at Kessler Trauma Center, to explain how to ensure your health care preferences are respected—even when you can’t voice them yourself.
What Is a Healthcare Proxy?
A healthcare proxy is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust—such as a family member or close friend—to make healthcare decisions for you if you lose the ability to make those decisions yourself.
This designated person, known as your healthcare agent or proxy, must be over the age of 18. They will have the authority to ensure your medical wishes are followed, providing peace of mind for both you and your loved ones.
Why It's Important
Your healthcare proxy:
- Can speak with your doctors
- Can view your medical records
- Considers your values, beliefs, and stated wishes when making decisions
- Ensures your preferences are respected in the event of serious illness or injury
- Preferences for life-sustaining treatment
- Pain management
- Critical medical decisions
Download the MyChart App
The MyChart app allows you to set up proxy access for yourself, your parents, children, or other loved ones. This allows you to access their MyChart and help them manage their care, schedule and remember appointments, and more.
What Is an Advance Directive (a Living Will)?
An advance directive, also known as a living will, is another crucial legal document. While a healthcare proxy designates someone to make decisions on your behalf, an advance directive provides specific instructions regarding your treatment preferences, particularly concerning end-of-life care. Together, these documents ensure comprehensive coverage of your healthcare wishes.
Smart Phone Emergency Medical ID (SEMID)
In addition to legal documents like a healthcare proxy and advance directive, modern technology offers tools to help communicate your medical information in emergencies.
A recent study led by University of Rochester researchers found that the Smart Phone Emergency Medical ID (SEMID), a feature available on most smartphones, is useful in the care of trauma patients who were unable to provide medical information.
In patients who used the SEMID feature on their phones, the information was useful and relevant to patient care in 75% of cases.
The SEMID tool allows you to store vital information such as:
- Medications
- Medical conditions
- Past surgeries
- Emergency contacts
Emergency medical personnel can access this information without needing to unlock your phone, providing critical details when time is of the essence.
The Region's Only Level 1 Trauma Center
University of Rochester Medicine's Strong Memorial Hospital is the only adult and pediatric level I trauma center in Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region and the only trauma center in Monroe County.
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