advance directive
a legal mechanism for individuals to specify their wishes and instructions about prospective health care in the event they later become unable to make such decisions. This can be achieved by means of a durable power of attorney, a legal document designating a health care proxy to make health care decisions on another person’s behalf. Other advance directives include a living will, a legal document clarifying a person’s wishes regarding future medical or, increasingly, mental health treatment; and a do not resuscitate (DNR) order stating that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not to be performed if the patient’s heart or breathing stops. Federal law requires hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions that receive Medicare or Medicaid funds to provide all patients upon admission with written information regarding advance directives. See also informed consent.