Cuero Regional Hopsital | Connect | Spring 2018

Advance directives Your questions answered Some things are too important to leave to chance, including health care when you’re too ill or injured to make your wishes known. That’s why, before a medical crisis, it’s crucial to put those wishes in written legal documents called advance directives. Here are some common questions about them. Q I’m young and healthy. Do I need an advance directive? A Yes. A medical crisis can happen at any time. And by planning ahead, you can get the care you want if you’re incapacitated. For instance, if you’re permanently unconscious and your heart stops beating, would you want CPR? An advance directive can make your preference clear. Q Are there different types of advance directives? A Yes. Two key ones are a health care power of attorney and a living will. A health care power of attorney lets you name someone, known as your proxy, to make medical decisions for you when you can’t. In contrast, a living will spells out only what medical treatments you want— or don’t want—when you can’t make your own decisions. Those treatments might include CPR, a feeding tube or extended care on a breathing machine. Q Do I need both types of documents? A It’s generally a good idea. Each document contains different information, which is why they’re sometimes combined into a single document. Q How can I write an advance directive? A You can ask your doctor for forms. You can also have a lawyer prepare them, look for forms online or get them from your local health department. Q Who should I give copies to? A Anyone involved in your health care needs a copy, including your doctor, proxy and family members. Also, bring a copy with you if you’re being admitted to a hospital. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; National Institutes of Health If you’ve called to schedule an appointment at one of Cuero Regional Hospital’s five medical clinics this year, you may have noticed a big change. Now you only have to know one number to schedule a new appointment at Cuero Medical Clinic, Parkside Family Clinic (Cuero), Goliad Family Practice, Kenedy Family Practice or Yorktown Medical Clinic: 833-CHC-DOCS ( 833-242-3627 ). To speak with a nurse or for other patient needs, each local number still remains the same . Please call your local clinic for all other patient needs besides appointments. “The goal was to make it easier for our patients to book appointments,” explains Steve Lash, Executive Vice President for the Revenue Maximization Group, which implemented the new system. “Consolidating all the clinics under one number makes it much more convenient for patients to find their doctor in the clinic location of their choosing or to schedule the quickest appointment available with any of our providers.” The five clinics offer primary care, prevention, wellness, obstetrics (except at Goliad Family Practice) and pediatric services. Appointments are not scheduled on Saturdays, but Cuero Medical Clinic is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon for walk-in appointments only. 2 Cuero Health • Spring 2018 Connect is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Cuero Regional Hospital, 2550 N. Esplanade St., Cuero, TX 77954, 361-275‑6191 , cuerohospital.org . Information in Connect comes from a wide range of medical experts. Please contact your pro- vider with concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Cuero Regional Hospital does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its health programs and activities. For more informa- tion, visit cuerohospital.org . ATTENTION: If you speak Spanish, Vietnamese or another foreign language, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Please notify our staff for assistance. 2018 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. A medical crisis can happen at any time. That’s why it’s important to have an advance directive. Call the CRH Case Management Department for more information at 361-275-0552 . 833-242-3627 One number is all you need to make an appointment Calling one of our medical clinics? To schedule an appointment at any of the clinics below, call 833-CHC-DOCS ( 833-242-3627 ) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. + + Cuero Medical Clinic: 361-275-3466 + + Parkside Family Clinic: 361-275-2800 + + Goliad Family Practice: 361-645-8235 + + Kenedy Family Practice: 830-583-0612 + + Yorktown Medical Clinic: 361-564-9230