title: The New York State Health Care Proxy Law and the issue of artificial hydration and nutrition.
abstract: The New York State Health Care Proxy (HCP) Law allows a surrogate to make medical decisions for an individual when he or she loses the capacity to make them. In the area of artificial hydration and nutrition, however, this law dictates that if the agent is not aware of the patient's wishes regarding hydration and nutrition, the agent cannot decide about this treatment.
authors.affiliation: Chandler Regional Hospital in Chandler, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nolde
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009518:New York; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D019727:Proxy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence