This customizable document, Durable Power of Attorney, is taken from MCN Healthcare’s Medical Office Policy and Procedure Manual. For more than 20 years, MCN has been the health care industry’s leading provider of policy and procedure templates, forms, competencies and other compliance tools.

MCN provides more than 80 health care specific policy and procedure manuals for Acute Care Hospitals, Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health, Home Health, Physician Practice, and Long Term Care. MCN’s policy and procedure manuals focus on the latest healthcare "hot topic" issues related to patient safety and prevention of medical healthcare errors.

Here is some sample content from Durable Power of Attorney:

	A signed document which allows patients to appoint an agent to carry out their wishes regarding healthcare decisions in the event that they are not able to make these decisions on their own. Takes effect immediately, but the agent is not authorized to make decisions as long as the patient is able to give informed consent. The agent cannot make decisions regarding commitment to a mental institution, electroconvulsive therapy, psychosurgery, sterilization or abortion, or any other limitation specified by the patient in the directive. Is in effect indefinitely unless specified otherwise. ...
Second excerpt:
	...If at time limit is specified and the patient is legally incompetent, the directive automatically continues in effect until the patient regains mental competency. If the patient has designated his or her spouse as an agent and the marriage is dissolved, the spouse's status as agent automatically terminates. If no alternate agent has been appointed, the Durable Power of Attorney is no longer in effect. Healthcare practitioners or employees of healthcare practitioners cannot serve as...