CRMC-West 214 E. 23 St. Cheyenne, WY 82001
CRMC-East 2600 E. 18 St. Cheyenne, WY 82001
Health & Fitness 1620 E. Pershing, Cheyenne, WY 82001

(307) 634-CARE

End of Life Care Decisions:

This information is not a substitute for an informed discussion with a healthcare provider. Health care facilities policies or state laws may differ.

When making care decisions; carefully consider the medical facts and your values. For example, think about the prospects for improvement.

Ask your health care provider:

• How much of a difference would continued treatment make?

• What are the chances of getting better?

• How much time would be gained from life-sustaining treatment?

Let your health care provider know you are interested in getting all the facts.

Quality of life may come down to:

• your feelings about relying on tubes and machines to live

• the level of discomfort you would be willing to endure for the extra time

• whether you would want to remain on life support even if you are not likely to regain consciousness

• how much life-sustaining treatment may interfere with the things you value in life.

Personal values are your beliefs about life and death, for example:

• Do you believe people should always fight to the end?

• Which is more important to you – sustaining life at all costs or living independently?

Talking with a spiritual leader may provide valuable insights.

Treatment alternative you could consider:

• a “trial period” for a new course of treatment

• a cutoff point if treatment does not succeed

• stopping some kinds of care but not others.

Legal and ethical issues:

States have different laws. For example, some states have specific standards for withholding tube feedings and hydration. Know the laws in your state. It can help to talk over these issues with friends and family.

Disclaimer - CRMC's core values are to provide quality patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction to all our patients. Part of providing quality patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction is respecting your privacy rights and maintaining the confidentiality of your medical records. For more information on patient privacy please read our patient privacy policy. CRMC will not use or disclose your health information for any purpose not described in this Notice without your written authorization.

Health information provided on Cheyenne Regional Medical Center's web page is intended as a guideline and not as a specific medical protocol. Every actual medical situation - emergency or non-emergency - is unique to each individual, and requires the clinical judgment of a qualified physician. For more information, or clarification, we recommend that individuals contact their personal physician.

Our Web site may include information and other material prepared by other sources. We also link to other Internet sites and resources. This information and links are provided as a courtesy. We are not responsible for the availability, updating, and accuracy of any information provided on these outside sites or for the privacy or security of these outside sites.

The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a doctor and a particular treatment plan. The material provided is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. Should you have any health-care-related question, you should contact a doctor and arrange a consultation. Any e-mail generated from this Web site may not be secure and is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship. E-mail communication is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a doctor.