Wills, Trusts & Probate
That's All We Do
Comprehensive Guide to Do Not Intubate Orders for Agoura Hills Residents
Navigating decisions about life-sustaining medical treatment can be emotionally challenging and legally important. In Agoura Hills, California, a Do Not Intubate order lets you state clearly that you do not want intubation or mechanical ventilation under specified circumstances. This guide explains what a DNI order is, how it differs from other advance directives, and practical steps to document your wishes so that healthcare providers and family members can follow them. Planning ahead reduces stress during emergencies and helps ensure your medical preferences are respected across local hospitals and care settings.
Creating a valid DNI order involves both medical and legal considerations so your decisions are recognized and implemented when needed. It is important to discuss your goals with your medical provider and to document your choices in writing to avoid ambiguity. This page covers how DNI orders are used in California, who should consider them, and how they fit into a broader advance care plan including living wills and healthcare powers of attorney. Clear communication with loved ones and caregivers is essential so your wishes are known and easily accessed in a crisis.
Why Do Not Intubate Orders Matter and What They Provide
A Do Not Intubate order provides a direct way to refuse intubation and related mechanical ventilation, protecting personal autonomy over certain life-sustaining interventions. When properly executed and included in medical records, a DNI order helps prevent unwanted procedures and clarifies treatment boundaries for clinicians and family members. Having this directive in place can reduce family conflict during stressful medical moments and provide peace of mind knowing care aligns with your values. It is also an important component of an overall advance care strategy that helps coordinate preferences across different healthcare settings.
About LA Estate Plans and Our Approach to Medical Directives in Agoura Hills
LA Estate Plans assists Agoura Hills residents with wills, trusts, probate matters, and healthcare directives including Do Not Intubate orders. The firm focuses on clear communication and careful document preparation so your healthcare preferences are legally recognized and readily available to medical staff. We work with clients to explain relevant California rules, coordinate completion and filing of forms, and advise on how to share directives with providers and loved ones. The goal is to help clients make informed decisions and ensure those decisions are effectively documented and accessible when they matter most.
Understanding DNI Orders and How They Work in Practice
A Do Not Intubate order is a focused medical directive that instructs clinicians not to place a breathing tube or use mechanical ventilation in designated circumstances. It is part of advance healthcare planning and can be paired with other documents to express a broader set of treatment preferences. Understanding how a DNI order is implemented in hospitals and long-term care facilities, and how it interacts with other directives, helps you craft clear instructions that will be followed. Planning also includes discussing likely scenarios and ensuring your medical record contains the appropriate documentation.
To make a DNI order effective, communication and proper documentation are essential. The order should be completed in coordination with your healthcare provider so it is entered into your medical record and recognized by treating clinicians. It is also important to inform family members and anyone holding medical decision authority so there is no confusion during emergencies. Reviewing and updating the directive when your health or wishes change ensures that the DNI order continues to reflect your current preferences and remains enforceable across care settings.
What a Do Not Intubate Order Means
A Do Not Intubate order specifically indicates that a patient does not want intubation or mechanical ventilation, either indefinitely or in specified situations. Unlike broader advance directives, a DNI order addresses one particular medical intervention, providing clear direction to clinicians when decisions about airway management arise. This clarity can be crucial in fast-moving medical emergencies. The directive should be documented in your medical records and discussed with your healthcare provider so it is applied consistently and in line with your overall medical and personal goals.
Key Steps to Create and Maintain a Valid DNI Order
Creating a valid DNI order involves a conversation with your healthcare provider, completion of appropriate medical forms, and entry of the order into your medical record. You should also name or confirm a healthcare decision maker, provide copies to medical teams and family members, and consider how the DNI order fits with other directives like living wills and powers of attorney. Regular review and updates after health changes help ensure the order remains accurate. Clear documentation and proactive sharing reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings during urgent care situations.
Important Terms to Know About DNI Orders and Advance Care Planning
Familiarity with common terms used in medical and legal discussions about DNI orders helps you make informed choices. Understanding how terms such as advance directive, intubation, Do Not Resuscitate, and healthcare proxy are used in California health systems clarifies what each document or order accomplishes. Clear definitions help ensure your instructions are interpreted and followed correctly by clinicians and caregivers. This section provides concise explanations of these terms so you can confidently navigate conversations with providers and family members about your care preferences.
Advance Directive: What It Covers
An advance directive is a legal document that sets out a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they are no longer able to communicate those decisions. It commonly includes a living will and may designate a healthcare decision maker to act on your behalf. An advance directive helps ensure clinicians and loved ones understand your preferences for life-sustaining treatments, comfort-focused care, and other medical choices. Having a clear, accessible advance directive complements a DNI order by providing broader context for medical decision making when complex situations arise.
Intubation and Mechanical Ventilation Defined
Intubation involves placing a tube into the airway to support breathing, often followed by use of a mechanical ventilator to assist or replace spontaneous respiration. This intervention is commonly used in critical care when someone cannot breathe adequately on their own. Understanding the medical implications and potential outcomes of intubation helps inform choices about whether to accept or refuse this treatment. A DNI order communicates a desire to avoid intubation in specified circumstances, allowing patients to prioritize comfort or non-invasive approaches consistent with their goals.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) vs. DNI
A Do Not Resuscitate order instructs clinicians not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if a patient’s heart stops or they stop breathing, while a Do Not Intubate order specifically refuses intubation and mechanical ventilation. Both directives are distinct but can be used together depending on a person’s preferences. Understanding the differences helps you choose which orders reflect your values and medical goals. Discussing these options with your healthcare provider ensures each order is applied appropriately and recorded correctly in your medical record.
Healthcare Proxy and Decision Makers
A healthcare proxy, also known as a healthcare agent or medical power of attorney, is the person you designate to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Naming a trusted decision maker and discussing your wishes with them helps ensure your preferences are honored and that decisions align with your values. If you have a DNI order, your healthcare proxy should know how to interpret it and how it fits within any broader advance directive. Clear communication reduces conflict and supports timely implementation of your directives.
Comparing DNI Orders with Other Advance Care Options
There are multiple legal tools available to document healthcare preferences, including living wills, powers of attorney for healthcare, Do Not Resuscitate orders, and Do Not Intubate orders. Each serves a different purpose and offers varying levels of specificity and control. A DNI order focuses solely on intubation, while a living will can address broader treatment choices. A healthcare power of attorney allows someone to make decisions on your behalf. Understanding the distinctions helps you select the combination of documents that best reflects your medical objectives and practical needs.
When a Narrow Directive Like a DNI Order May Be Appropriate:
Specific Treatment Refusal Without Broader Directives
A focused directive such as a DNI order may be suitable when you have a clear preference about a particular intervention like intubation but do not want to limit other forms of medical care. This approach can be helpful for individuals who wish to refuse a single invasive treatment while remaining open to other life-sustaining or palliative options. It allows you to communicate a precise boundary to healthcare providers and family members without creating an expansive list of treatment restrictions, making immediate clinical decisions easier to follow in urgent moments.
Simpler Planning for Easier Communication
Choosing a limited directive can simplify conversations with family and clinicians by focusing on one clearly stated preference. For some people, a single directive reduces confusion, avoids lengthy legal forms, and makes it easier to ensure the order is noticed and honored by medical staff. This can be a practical first step in advance care planning for those who want to address a specific treatment decision quickly, while still leaving open the option to create additional documents later to cover broader healthcare choices.
Why a Broader Advance Care Plan May Be Beneficial:
Coordination Across Multiple Care Decisions
A comprehensive approach to advance care planning can reduce ambiguity by documenting preferences across a range of scenarios, not just a single intervention. This is particularly helpful for those with complex medical conditions or for families who want clear guidance about many types of treatment choices. Broad documentation can also help clinicians who must make decisions in high-pressure situations by offering a fuller picture of the patient’s goals and values, which supports consistent application of the patient’s wishes in diverse clinical settings.
Reducing Family Conflict and Improving Communication
Comprehensive documentation helps families understand the patient’s values and reduces the potential for disputes about care during emotionally fraught times. When living wills, powers of attorney, and specific medical orders work together, loved ones have clearer guidance about what treatment the patient would want. This cohesive planning can ease decision-making for surrogates, minimize disagreements, and provide consistent direction to medical teams, improving the likelihood that care aligns with the patient’s wishes throughout different stages of illness.
Benefits of Creating a Complete Advance Care Planning Package
Taking a comprehensive approach to medical directives offers the advantage of documenting a wide range of preferences so care remains consistent across providers and settings. This approach typically includes a living will, a healthcare power of attorney, and any specific orders such as DNI or DNR directives. Together, these documents reduce uncertainty, guide clinicians, and protect decision makers by providing clear legal backing for the patient’s wishes. Comprehensive planning can be especially helpful for those with chronic illness, progressive conditions, or changing healthcare needs.
A thorough advance care plan also encourages conversations with loved ones about values and treatment goals, which can be emotionally supportive and practically beneficial. When families understand the patient’s priorities, they are better prepared to honor those choices without second-guessing. Comprehensive planning promotes continuity of care, helps prevent unnecessary or unwanted interventions, and supports more peaceful decision making in difficult moments. It also makes it easier for clinicians to align medical treatment with the patient’s stated objectives.
Greater Clarity for Healthcare Teams and Families
Documenting a complete set of directives provides clinicians and family members with clear, actionable guidance that can be relied upon during emergencies. This clarity reduces the risk of mistaken assumptions and helps ensure decisions reflect the patient’s values. It makes it simpler for hospital staff to implement appropriate care and helps family decision makers avoid the burden of guessing at the patient’s wishes. The resulting communication improvements can preserve dignity and reduce conflict in stressful medical situations.
Flexibility to Address Changing Health Needs
A comprehensive plan can be updated and tailored over time as medical conditions and personal preferences evolve, providing a flexible framework for long-term care planning. By combining specific medical orders with broader directives, you can create a responsive system that reflects current goals while allowing adjustments as circumstances change. This ongoing review process helps ensure documents remain relevant, reduces ambiguity for providers, and supports continuity of care across transitions between hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and home-based services.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning Services
Top Searched Keywords
- Do Not Intubate order Agoura Hills
- DNI order California
- advance healthcare directive Los Angeles County
- living will Agoura Hills
- healthcare power of attorney California
- DNR vs DNI explanation
- how to create a DNI order
- medical orders Agoura Hills hospitals
- advance care planning Los Angeles
Practical Tips for Managing Your Do Not Intubate Order
Discuss Your Wishes with Medical Providers
Open, candid conversations with your primary care physician and any treating specialists are an essential step when considering a Do Not Intubate order. Medical providers can explain the implications of refusing intubation, describe potential clinical scenarios, and ensure the proper forms are completed and placed in your medical record. These discussions also provide an opportunity to ask questions about alternatives, expected outcomes, and how the order will be implemented in different care settings, which helps you make a clear and informed decision that matches your values and health goals.
Share Documents with Key People and Facilities
Review and Update as Circumstances Change
Regularly reviewing your DNI order and related advance directives is important to ensure they reflect current medical conditions, personal values, and family circumstances. Major health changes, new diagnoses, or shifts in personal priorities are appropriate times to revisit your documents. Updating the order as needed and notifying your providers and family members helps maintain consistency and prevents outdated instructions from guiding care. Keeping records current ensures your healthcare preferences continue to be honored across different care providers and settings.
Why Residents of Agoura Hills Should Consider a DNI Order
A DNI order may be appropriate for individuals who prefer to avoid intubation under certain circumstances, including those with progressive respiratory conditions, advanced age, or terminal illness. It provides a clear mechanism to refuse a specific invasive procedure while allowing other treatments as desired. Considering a DNI order as part of an overall advance care plan can reduce uncertainty, provide guidance to clinicians, and align medical interventions with personal values. Discussing these options with trusted healthcare providers helps determine the best approach based on individual health goals.
Many people find comfort in documenting specific wishes to avoid particular interventions, which can ease the burden on family members who might otherwise face difficult decisions without clear guidance. A DNI order complements broader documents like living wills and powers of attorney by providing focused direction about intubation and mechanical ventilation. When properly documented and shared with healthcare providers, the order helps ensure that your decisions are respected in hospitals and care facilities throughout Los Angeles County and beyond.
Common Situations Where a DNI Order Is Considered
DNI orders are often considered by people with chronic respiratory conditions, those with terminal diagnoses, older adults concerned about prolonged mechanical ventilation, or anyone who wishes to avoid intubation for quality-of-life reasons. The choice is personal and may be influenced by prior experiences with intensive care, prognosis, or values around comfort-focused care. Consulting with healthcare providers and discussing likely scenarios helps determine when a DNI order is appropriate and how it should be worded to best reflect an individual’s preferences.
Chronic Respiratory Illness
Individuals with long-standing respiratory diseases may choose a DNI order to avoid invasive breathing support that may not meaningfully improve quality of life. This decision can reflect a preference for comfort-centered care, symptom management, and avoiding prolonged hospitalization or ventilator dependence. Discussing outcomes, likely trajectories, and alternatives with clinicians ensures the directive aligns with realistic medical expectations. Proper documentation helps medical teams respect these preferences during acute exacerbations and critical events.
Terminal Diagnosis and End-of-Life Care
People diagnosed with terminal illnesses sometimes elect a DNI order to prioritize comfort over life-extending measures that may not offer meaningful benefit. This preference allows a focus on symptom relief, dignity, and time with loved ones rather than aggressive interventions that extend the dying process. Clear documentation and communication with palliative care teams and family members ensure that care aligns with the patient’s goals and reduces the likelihood of unwanted invasive procedures during critical episodes.
Advanced Age and Frailty
Older adults who are frail or have multiple medical conditions may prefer to avoid intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation because of potential complications and diminished chance of recovery to prior function. A DNI order can be part of an overall plan that emphasizes comfort, rehabilitation goals, or home-based care rather than invasive life support. Discussing the expected outcomes and care alternatives with clinicians and family supports informed choices and ensures the patient’s wishes guide treatment during acute medical events.
How We Support Agoura Hills Residents with DNI Orders
Why Choose LA Estate Plans for Your DNI Order Needs
Clients who work with LA Estate Plans receive personalized attention designed to translate healthcare preferences into clear, legally recognized documents. We assist with completing required forms, explaining how orders are implemented in California medical settings, and advising on effective communication with providers and family. Our approach emphasizes practical solutions to ensure your DNI order is recognized and accessible when needed, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and helping align clinical care with your wishes.
Our practice assists with coordinating documentation among multiple providers and care facilities so your DNI order is visible in the places where you receive care. We provide guidance on naming a healthcare decision maker, distributing copies, and updating documents after significant health changes. This coordinated approach helps ensure consistency across hospitals, clinics, and emergency services in Los Angeles County, supporting reliable application of your stated medical preferences.
We prioritize clear communication with clients and their families to help reduce stress during medical crises. By explaining how DNI orders interact with other advance directives and how to ensure orders are recorded, we help clients create a practical plan that reflects personal values. Our aim is to make the process straightforward and to provide the necessary documentation and follow-up so your healthcare wishes are honored when they matter most.
Contact LA Estate Plans to Discuss Your DNI Order in Agoura Hills
How We Handle DNI Orders: Our Process at LA Estate Plans
Our process for creating and implementing a DNI order begins with a thorough discussion of your healthcare goals and any existing directives. We then explain relevant California procedures and assist with completing and filing the appropriate forms. The process includes confirming your preferred decision maker, advising on how to communicate the order to medical providers, and helping you distribute copies to hospitals and family. We follow up to ensure documentation has been placed in medical records and to advise on future updates as circumstances change.
Step One: Consultation and Information Gathering
The first step is a consultation to understand your values, medical background, and goals for care. During this conversation we review current treatments, potential scenarios where a DNI order would apply, and any existing advance directives. This assessment helps shape clear, actionable language for the DNI order and identifies whether additional documents, such as a living will or healthcare power of attorney, are advisable to provide a cohesive plan for your care.
Initial Medical and Personal Review
We begin by discussing your health history, current conditions, and treatment preferences so your DNI order accurately reflects your intentions. This stage includes clarifying whether the order applies in all circumstances or only in specific situations, and identifying any medical nuances that could affect how clinicians interpret the directive. A thorough review sets the foundation for precise documentation and helps anticipate questions that providers or family members may raise later.
Documenting Goals and Decision Makers
During the initial process we also identify and document your chosen healthcare decision maker and discuss how they should interpret your DNI order in context with other directives. Clear naming of a decision maker and explaining your values to that person reduces ambiguity and supports aligned decision-making. We advise on practical steps for communication so your designated agent and family members understand where to find and how to implement your directives when the time comes.
Step Two: Drafting and Reviewing Your DNI Order
Once goals are gathered, we prepare the DNI order and any complementary documents needed to form a consistent advance care plan. We tailor the language to reflect your preferences and California legal requirements, ensuring the order is clear and actionable. During review we walk through the document line by line so you understand the implications and any scenarios where the order will apply, and we make adjustments to ensure the directive aligns with your stated objectives and medical considerations.
Preparing Clear and Compliant Forms
We use language that is unambiguous and consistent with clinical practice so medical staff can readily implement the DNI order. This includes specifying the conditions under which intubation is to be refused and confirming that the directive is to be placed in the medical record. Attention to precise wording reduces the chance of misinterpretation and helps ensure the order is followed as intended by treating clinicians and facilities across Los Angeles County.
Reviewing with You and Your Decision Maker
After drafting, we review the DNI order with you and any designated decision maker to confirm understanding and address questions. This step provides an opportunity to clarify the interplay between the DNI and any broader advance directives and to ensure everyone knows where to find copies. Preparing decision makers and family members in advance reduces stress during emergencies and supports consistent application of your wishes in real clinical situations.
Step Three: Execution, Filing, and Distribution
The final phase ensures the DNI order is properly signed, witnessed, and entered into your medical records so it will be recognized when needed. We advise on any witnessing requirements and help distribute copies to healthcare providers, emergency contacts, and family members. We also guide you on keeping accessible copies in both paper and electronic formats. Follow-through helps ensure the order is visible across care settings and that first responders and hospital staff can find and implement your wishes promptly.
Signing, Witnessing, and Medical Record Entry
We assist with the formal execution steps to make the DNI order effective, including guidance on signatures and any witnessing procedures required by the facility or state practice. Ensuring the order is entered into your medical record at hospitals and clinics where you receive care increases the likelihood it will be honored. Clear documentation in the chart and in prehospital records helps emergency personnel and clinicians follow your stated preferences without delay.
Sharing Copies and Scheduling Future Reviews
Distributing copies to family members, healthcare proxies, and all treating facilities helps ensure your DNI order is available when decisions are needed. We recommend periodic reviews, especially after major health events or changes in circumstances, to confirm the order still reflects your wishes. Scheduling regular check-ins and updating documents as necessary keeps your plan current and improves the chance that your care will align with your values across different phases of treatment.
The Proof is in Our Performance
Frequently Asked Questions About Do Not Intubate Orders
What is a Do Not Intubate (DNI) order and how does it work?
A Do Not Intubate order is a specific medical instruction indicating that the patient does not want to be intubated or placed on a mechanical ventilator in certain circumstances. The order is documented in the medical record and communicated to treating clinicians so it can be followed during emergencies when airway management decisions are required. A DNI order can be limited to certain situations or be broadly applicable depending on the patient’s preferences and clinical guidance. To be effective, a DNI order should be created in coordination with your healthcare provider so the medical team understands the intent and enters the order into your chart. It is also important to inform your designated decision maker and family members so they are aware of your wishes. Keeping copies accessible and confirming placement in medical records at your usual hospitals and clinics increases the likelihood that the order will be honored when needed.
How do I create a valid DNI order in California?
Creating a valid DNI order typically begins with a discussion with your primary care physician or treating clinician about the medical implications and likely scenarios where intubation might be considered. The clinician will provide or complete the appropriate medical order form and enter it into your medical record. Legal guidance can help ensure the documentation aligns with California practices and is coordinated with any broader advance directives you may have. You should also name a healthcare decision maker and provide them with copies of the DNI order. Sharing the order with hospitals, clinics, and family members helps ensure it is accessible during emergencies. Periodic review and updates after major health changes will keep the order consistent with your current wishes and medical situation.
Can I change or revoke my DNI order after it is signed?
Yes, you can change or revoke a DNI order at any time as long as you have the capacity to make healthcare decisions. To revoke the order, inform your healthcare provider and request that the order be removed from your medical record. It is also advisable to notify your healthcare decision maker, family members, and any facilities where the order was filed so they are aware of the change. If you later wish to reestablish a DNI order or update the terms, work with your clinician to complete a new medical order and ensure it is documented and distributed appropriately. Keeping a current record and communicating changes reduces confusion and helps clinicians honor your latest decisions.
How is a DNI order different from a DNR order?
A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order directs clinicians not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the heart stops or the patient stops breathing. In contrast, a Do Not Intubate (DNI) order specifically refuses intubation and mechanical ventilation. They address different interventions and can be used independently or together depending on a patient’s preferences and clinical goals. Understanding the difference between DNR and DNI helps you decide which orders are right for you. Discussing both options with your healthcare provider clarifies how each will be implemented in various medical scenarios and how they fit into a complete advance care plan that may include living wills and a healthcare power of attorney.
Who should I talk to about creating a DNI order?
Start by talking with your primary care doctor or any specialist who manages your chronic conditions, as they can explain clinical implications and the likely situations in which intubation might be considered. Clinical input helps ensure the DNI order is medically appropriate and entered into your medical records. You should also involve a trusted family member or the person you intend to name as your healthcare decision maker so they understand your wishes and how to support them. Legal advice can be helpful for coordinating the DNI order with other advance directives and for ensuring proper documentation and distribution. While not always required, legal guidance can clarify how to structure your directives for consistent recognition across hospitals and care facilities in California.
Will hospitals and medical facilities in California honor a DNI order?
In California, hospitals and healthcare facilities generally recognize properly documented medical orders such as DNI orders when they are placed in the patient’s medical record. Ensuring the order is completed by a treating clinician and clearly entered into hospital charts or electronic medical records improves compliance by medical staff. Facilities follow documented medical orders unless there is a clear legal or medical reason not to do so. To increase the likelihood the order will be honored, provide copies to the hospitals and clinics where you receive care, inform your healthcare decision maker and family, and confirm placement in the medical record. Clear communication and documentation help avoid delays or misunderstandings at critical moments.
Do I need other advance directives in addition to a DNI order?
A DNI order addresses a specific intervention, while other advance directives like a living will and a healthcare power of attorney cover broader aspects of care and decision making. A living will outlines general preferences for life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care, and a healthcare power of attorney appoints a person to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot. Combining these documents creates a more complete plan that helps clinicians and family members understand your overall goals. Whether you need additional documents depends on your health, personal preferences, and the complexity of likely scenarios. Many people choose a DNI order in combination with a living will and a designated decision maker to ensure consistent guidance across different clinical situations and care settings.
How often should I review my DNI order and related documents?
It is advisable to review your DNI order and related advance directives periodically and after major health changes, hospitalizations, or significant shifts in personal circumstances. Regular review ensures that the documents remain aligned with current medical realities and personal values. Updating paperwork when preferences change helps maintain clarity for medical teams and families and reduces the risk of outdated instructions guiding care. When you update a DNI order, notify your healthcare provider and request that the new order be placed in your medical record. Distribute updated copies to hospitals, clinics, and your designated decision maker so the most recent documents are available when decisions must be made.
What happens if family members disagree with a valid DNI order?
When a DNI order is properly documented and legally valid, medical staff are generally required to follow it even if family members object. The order reflects the patient’s own directive concerning medical treatment and guides clinicians in their response to emergencies. That said, family disputes can be emotionally difficult, and it is helpful to prepare loved ones in advance so they understand and accept your choices. Open dialogue with family members and the designated decision maker prior to a crisis helps reduce conflict and ensures everyone knows the rationale behind your preferences. When disputes arise despite documentation, having clear records and a named decision maker can help clinicians apply the patient’s wishes with confidence.
How does LA Estate Plans help with preparing and implementing a DNI order?
LA Estate Plans assists clients through each stage of creating and implementing a DNI order, from explaining the medical and legal considerations to coordinating with clinicians for proper documentation. We help tailor the language of the order to reflect specific preferences, ensure correct placement in medical records, and provide guidance on distributing copies to family and providers. Our role is to make the process straightforward and to help clients feel confident their wishes will be accessible when needed. We also advise on how the DNI order fits into a broader advance care plan, including living wills and healthcare powers of attorney, and we recommend periodic reviews and updates. By coordinating documentation across facilities and supporting clear communication with decision makers, we help ensure your medical preferences are respected across care settings.





