Abstract
SINCE THE passage by the federal government of the Patient Self-Determination Act,1 which became effective in December 1991, each hospital, nursing facility, home health care agency, and provider of home care is required to provide information to all new patients regarding their right under state law to make decisions about their medical care. Since that time patients have been encouraged to execute advance directives (ADs), either as a living will (LW) or a power of attorney for health care (PAHC), or minimally, directions for "do not resuscitate" (DNR) and similar specific directions. In Illinois, standard forms are available for both LW and PAHC2,3 and are widely used.