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[Bioethical principles: planning and advance directives in Puerto Rico]
José Ramírez Rivera1, Jorge J Ferrer
1Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR. ramirez.r629@gmail.com
Boletin De La Asociacion Medica De Puerto Rico
|December 4, 2009
Summary
Advance directives ensure patient autonomy in healthcare decisions. This model, compliant with Puerto Rico and federal law, facilitates end-of-life care planning and may reduce healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Bioethics
- Medical Law
- Public Health Policy
Context:
- Rooted in libertarian principles of Personal Autonomy and Personalized Justice.
- Developed alongside American democracy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Evolved into core bioethical principles: Respect for Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, and Justice.
Purpose:
- To present a model for advance directives compliant with Puerto Rico Law 160 and the US Patients Self-Determination Act.
- To facilitate the legal preparation of advance directives in healthcare settings.
- To incorporate options for organ donation.
Summary:
- Advance directives, including living wills and healthcare proxies, empower patients to make decisions when incapacitated.
- The proposed model can be executed in a doctor's office or hospital, meeting legal requirements.
- Discusses the ethical underpinnings and potential economic benefits for health insurance carriers.
Impact:
- Enhances patient autonomy and ensures healthcare wishes are respected.
- Potentially reduces healthcare costs by preventing inappropriate end-of-life intensive care admissions.
- Provides a legally sound framework for advance care planning in Puerto Rico.
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