Living will registry available online

There are few things more personal than making decisions about our end of life wishes, and it can be difficult to talk about those decisions to those closest to us. Many people who’ve thought about it and made decisions don’t share them with family or physicians. Often, difficult medical decisions are made without knowing what the person really wanted.

The state Department of Health has established a Web-based registry that stores the living will documents of state residents. Important documents such as medical health care directives and durable power of attorney forms are stored in a secure, online database. Living will documents contain information about treatment wishes in case a patient is unable to communicate. The system stores emergency contact information so next of kin can be contacted immediately.

Only authorized health care providers — such as physicians and nurses working in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or in hospice and home health agencies — have access to the registry. Health care providers have quick, easy access to patient preferences — 24 hours a day, everyday. Health care providers can apply for registry authorization by completing an online application form (http://www.doh.wa.gov/livingwill/forms/FacilityAccessApplication.pdf).

People of all ages are advised to have a living will. Registering living will documents is easy — and it’s free. Registrants receive a wallet card with a unique registration identification number and instructions to access the living will documents they’ve filed. They also get stickers to put on their driver’s license, insurance card, or identification card. Registrants can access, make changes, or remove their living will documents at any time. Each year, they’ll automatically receive a letter reminding them to update their information.

Details on Washington’s Living Will Registry (www.doh.wa.gov/livingwill) are available online or by calling toll free 1-800-525-0127. The Web site explains why and how to register. People may submit living will documents they’ve prepared, or the Web site offers downloadable blank forms. The Department of Health has created a simple two step process for registering.

Complete living will documents.
Mail the documents with the department’s Registration Agreement form to the registry.

The Washington State Living Will Registry helps Washingtonians prepare for their future. By offering simple steps to record and store living will documents, the registry gives peace of mind to families and confidence to physicians — knowing they’re following the patients’ final wishes.