BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS, AND CHOOSE YOUR CARE

You have a right to:• Knowaboutyourillness• Knowaboutprogramsandservicesthatare availabletohelpyouandyourfamily• Knowthebenefitsandtherisksofanyalternative treatmentsavailabletoyou• MakeanAdvanceDirectivetoplanforthefuture• Choosesomeonetohelpyoumakemedical decisions• HaveyourprovidercompleteaMedicalOrdersfor Life-SustainingTreatment(MOLST)orderform

Formoreinformationvisitwww.oag.state.md.us/healthpol/sac/orcall410-398-4000,ext.3844

UnionHospital106BowStreet,Elkton,Maryland21921

www.uhcc.com

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSDo I have the right to know about my illness?Yes.Youhavearighttoknowaboutyourillness,availabletreatments,whethertreatmentsmightcureyourillnessortreatyoursymptoms,andwhattheimpactmightbeonlifeexpec-tancyandqualityoflife.Youalsohavearighttoknowaboutendoflifeoptions,includinghospitalcare.

Do I have the right to choose the best treatment option for me?Yes.Yourhealthcareprovidershouldreviewtheoptionsthatareavailableinordertohelpyouchoosewhichisbestforyou.Youhavetherighttohavesomeonehelpyoumakedecisions.Youalsohavetherighttodeclinetreatment.

What is an Advance Directive and what is MOLST?Anadvancedirectiveisalegaldocumentthatyoushouldcompletenowtoplanforyourfuturehealthcare.Nooneisrequiredtohaveanadvancedirective,butitissmarttoplanaheadandinformyourlovedonesofyourwishesincaseyoueverbecometooilltospeakforyourself.Itwillensurethatyourreligiousandpersonalbeliefswillberespected.MOLST(MedicalOrdersforLife-SustainingTreatment)isaformcon-tainingmedicalorderssignedbyyourhealthcareproviderthatwillhelpensurethatyourwishesarecarriedout.

What if I change my mind?Youcanchangeyourmindabouthealthcareoptionsatanytime.

What kinds of treatments are available to me when I am sick or dying?Therearemanydifferentkindsofcarethatcanhelpyouduringyourtreatment.Doctors,nurses,specializedpalliativemedi-calproviders,socialworkers,chaplains,dietitians,pharma-cists,massagetherapists,oracupuncturistscanhelptorelievesymptoms.Askyourhealthcareproviderwhichservicesareavailableandwhichwillbepaidforbyinsurance.Hospiceorganizationsmostoftencoordinatetheproviders.

What if I have pain or other symptoms?Youhavearighttorelieffrompainandothersymptoms.Talktoyourhealthcareproviderifyousufferfrompain,othersymptoms,orsideeffectsfromyourtreatments.

What if I have a disability?Youhavearighttoreceivethekindofcarethatyouneed.Thereshouldbereasonableaccommodationsmadeforyoutogettoyourhealthcareproviderandgettheinformationandcareyouneed.

ApprovedbyTheStateAdvisoryCouncilonQualityCareattheEndofLife