Dear aap2,

As we age we will need more and more medical care of some sort. Since the possibility of this happening while you will not be able to speak for yourself could happen, you need an advance directive and a durable power of attorney for health care. The durable feature means if you cannot speak for yourself someone else can.

This will prevent you from being exposed to a number of problems like living probate.

It would also be good to carry a medical alert bracelet. You will not be able to put what you want on it. You can put no _________ and what ever you want to avoid. This will make them look for alternatives.

Next the nurses.

The nurses can become like the Soup Nazi. The only difference, "No health care for you!" I am a nurse and have been treated this way.

My wife, pregnant and bleeding, was refused by three hospitals. It was the nurses who were refusing to allow her to be seen by the doctors. They cited policy and procedure.

By going directly to the doctor, it was possible to get seen and get past the nurses. So if this is ever a problem, say you want to speak to the doctor, surgeon or anesthesiologist. Usually the anesthesiologist administers blood in surgery.

Also you need to know that the consents usually indicate that another doc could step in.

This means you could get a doc that says he would be willing to do it with out blood or products and he is injured in an accident and another steps in. The difference is that the new doc is not experienced or skilled in advance transfusion practice.

So the Nurse Nazi is really doing you a favor, especially if there is a change you might not be aware of.

Good health to you.