National Healthcare Decisions Day Set

Tennova hospitals to hold special events open to the public

Tennova Healthcare facilities, along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). As a participating organization, Tennova Healthcare facilities are providing free House-In-Order books, information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Tennessee state laws. 

A booth will be set up at Jefferson Memorial Hospital on Monday, April 22in the first floor lobby from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Anyone who has an account with the hospital is invited to bring in their Advance Directive and driver’s license (or other ID) and it will be scanned into their medical record. By doing this, your healthcare decisions will be available any time you come to the hospital. You don’t have to remember to bring them in each time and you can change your mind and update your Advance Directive anytime. If you do not have an Advance Directive, free information will be available and hospital representatives will answer questions and even help you fill out your Advance Directive.

“As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known,” said Becky Dodson, Vice President of Mission Services.  “Fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions in the absence of guidance from the patient. Healthcare providers and facilities will be better equipped to address advance healthcare planning issues before a crisis and will be able to honor patient wishes when the time comes to do so.”

For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit
www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.

About Tennova Healthcare

Located in East Tennessee, Tennova Healthcare operates six acute-care hospitals and many other healthcare facilities across the region.  More than 1,000 of the area’s leading physicians are on the active staff at Tennova facilities.  One of East Tennessee’s largest employers, Tennova has more than 5,000 associates dedicated to providing compassionate care using the latest medical technology.  For more information visit www.Tennova.com.