Having worked for over 7 years in a hospital with a state designated trauma service and dealing with severely injured patients, I can attest to the fact that many many people do not have their directives in order or worse yet, do not carry one. Being there to represent and advocate for patients who are many times extremely difficult to manage from a clinical perpesective, it is sorely frustrating when they make it even harder by not complying with their responsibility to have properly executed directives. Especially when the family do not support their decision. Especially when no one knows what personal choice opitions they would allow. Especially when decisions on what to do means life and death.
People just think it will never happen to them or whatever. I've heard every excuse you can imagine. No wonder many physicians and hospital administrators have developed bad attitudes on working with patients!

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Jo Valenti, RN
CBMS
Kennedy Health System