This form is provided in the Texas Health and Safety Code and is designed to help you communicate your wishes about medical treatment at some time in the future when you are unable to make your wishes known because of illness or injury. A competent adult may at any time execute a written directive. The directive must be signed by the principal in the presence of two witnesses (who must themselves sign the document). A declarant may include directions in a directive other than those provided in the statutes and may designate a person to make a treatment decision for the declarant in the event the declarant becomes incompetent or otherwise mentally or physically incapable of communication.
The Travis Texas Statutory Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates is a legal document designed to provide individuals with the opportunity to express their medical treatment preferences in the event they become incapacitated and are unable to communicate their wishes. This directive includes provisions for living wills, which are specific instructions detailing a person's preferences regarding medical treatments and interventions. Living will provision in the Travis Texas Statutory Directive allow individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare, ensuring that their values, beliefs, and personal autonomy are respected during critical medical situations. The following are different types of living will provision that can be included in the directive: 1. Artificial Life Support: This provision enables individuals to specify whether they prefer to receive or decline various methods of life-sustaining treatments, such as mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It allows individuals to express their desires regarding the artificial prolongation of life when there is little hope of recovery. 2. Pain Management: This provision allows individuals to state their preferences regarding pain relief and management options. It ensures that medical professionals consider pain control measures that align with the individual's wishes and values, even when facing end-of-life circumstances. 3. Palliative Care and Hospice: The Travis Texas Statutory Directive enables individuals to include provisions related to palliative care and hospice services. These provisions specify whether individuals desire pain management, comfort care, or other services aimed at improving their quality of life during terminal illnesses. 4. Organ and Tissue Donation: This living will provision permits individuals to indicate their preferences regarding organ and tissue donation. It allows individuals to specify their willingness to be an organ donor or their decision to decline organ donation after death, thus ensuring their wishes are known and respected. By incorporating these living will provision into the Travis Texas Statutory Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates, individuals can have peace of mind that their healthcare decisions will be adhered to and their chosen medical treatments respected, even when they are unable to actively participate in decision-making. It is crucial to consult with legal professionals and healthcare providers to ensure the proper completion and execution of this directive, taking into consideration any specific requirements outlined by the state of Texas.
