Health progress (Saint Louis, Mo.)
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Decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment for incompetent patients are typically difficult and stressful for surrogate or proxy decision makers. Although substituted judgment and best interest provisions are helpful to next of kin or guardian and help replicate an incapacitated patient's wishes, a more definitive expression of treatment preferences is needed. Advance directives allow currently competent persons to express their wishes about medical treatment before a possible incapacitating situation. ⋯ Contribute to constructive debate in states without legislation. Include provisions for proxy decision making in states with existing patients' bill of rights. Consider legislation to protect physicians from litigation when patients' written directives are followed.