St. Margaret's Hospital provides all adult patients with information on Advance Directives, legally valid

documents which express a person's choice on life-sustaining treatments. Illinois law recognizes two types of

Advance Directives: the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and the Living Will.

A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care permits you to name someone to make health care decisions

for you if you are unable to do so yourself.  By designating someone you trust to act on your behalf, you are

able to control decisions concerning your medical care and treatment.

A Living Will allows you to state in advance what types of medical treatment you do or do not desire in case

you develop a terminal illness and death is imminent.

For more information on Advance Directives, contact St. Margaret's Patient & Family Services Department at

(815) 664-1486.