Patient Self-Determination Act
In the US there is a law called the The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) in which health care institutions like hospitals are required to ask all admitted patients whether they have an advanced directive and to inform them of their right to refuse treatment. An advance directive is a patient’s signed statement regarding what will be done to his health or body in case he can longer decide for himself as in cases of unconsciousness or an impending death. The patient is informed also of his right to refuse any treatment such as medications or any diagnostic procedure at any given time. It is the duty of responsibility of health care providers to explain all planned medication and treatment to the patient.
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