title: [Health care power of attorney project at the University Hospital Frankfurt].
abstract: Under German law it is the patient alone who has the right to decide whether or not to undergo a particular medical procedure. Treating a patient without his or her consent always constitutes a serious infringement of the patient's constitutional right of self-determination as well as the right to physical integrity. By issuing a power of attorney in health care matters to a person he or she trusts, a patient can safeguard his or her rights in the event of incapacitation. At the University Hospital Frankfurt patients who are scheduled for major elective surgery are informed about the advantages of a health care power of attorney during premedication. The University Hospital has developed its own health care power of attorney form for patient use. In addition, patients have the option of receiving additional information about other types of health care advance directives, such as a living will.
authors: Hans-Joachim
authors: HJ
authors: Wilke
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Wolf-Braun
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Zacharowski
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005858:Germany; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010819:Physician's Role