Are Kentuckians using advance medical directives?

Findings of a statewide survey indicate that only 9% of Kentucky adults are completing Living Wills and an equal percent are designating Health Care Surrogates. Designed to protect patient's rights of self-determination in treatment decisions and protect physicians and other health care professionals from liability in complying with patient wishes, only 37% of the state's residents know about Kentucky's Living Will and 24% known about the Designation of Health Care Surrogate. In view of the results, it is recommended that educational efforts be undertaken, changes in legislation occur to ease advance medical directive access and use, and that, following customary medical practice, legislation be enacted to provide authorization of family members to serve as substitute health care decision makers for incapacitated patients.