Annual Checklist for the Bloodless Patient

A medical emergency can arise suddenly. Patients who refuse blood transfusions do well to periodically make sure that they are doing all that they can to be ready for such an emergency and for questions that will arise about their wishes.

My Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

It is good to periodically review your DPA for the following:

Choices regarding acceptance of minor blood fractions.

Does the way my DPA is filled out truly represent my informed decisions on the use of minor blood fractions?
Do I require more information so as to make an informed decision?
Am I sure that the way my DPA is completed does not inadvertently rule out a product that I might be willing to accept?
Can I explain to my physician my wishes regarding blood fractions?

Choices regarding acceptance of procedures involving the use of my own blood.

Does the way my DPA is filled out truly represent my informed decisions on these procedures?
Do I require more information so as to make an informed decision?
Am I sure that the way my DPA is completed does not inadvertently rule out a procedure that I might be willing to accept?
Can I explain to my physician my wishes regarding procedures which may involve the use of my own blood?

Other Health Care Instructions.

Have I included all pertinent information that would assist a health care provider in the event that I was unable to speak for myself?
Have I listed the name of any medications (including over the counter supplements, vitamins and herbs) as well as their dosage and the frequency with which I use them?
Have I listed all current allergies?
Have I listed my current medical problems?

Health Care Agents

Are the persons I have selected still willing and available to serve in this position?
Do my agents have a current copy of my DPA?
Do my agents have a good understanding of my wishes regarding items on my Durable Power of Attorney including my feelings about end-of-life matters?
Am I keeping my Health Care Agents informed about my plans for medical tests and procedures? Do I inform them when I am admitted to a hospital?
Does my family know who I have selected as my Health Care Agents? Does my family understand the decision-making powers I am granting to these agents?

Health Insurance

Do I have medical coverage in the event of accident or illness?
Will my medical coverage allow me to access physicians and hospitals which are better prepared to care for me in view of my limitation of not accepting blood transfusions?

Health Maintenance and Life Style

Since regular preventive medical checkups may increase my overall health and decrease my need for extensive surgeries, do I have a Primary Care Physician?
Am I keeping up with my Primary Care Physician’s recommendations for health screening such as mammography, colonoscopy, blood pressure and cholesterol readings?
For women: Am I seeing my gynecologist regularly?
Am I taking physical precautions in my leisure activities?

Your individual situation may call for evaluating yet other factors. A health crisis is by definition a stressful situation. Good planning and forethought can reduce some of this stress. Good planning can also equip your medical providers to understand and respect your wishes for medical care without transfusions.