Definition: A person (an agent) appointed to make a patient's medical decisions if the patient is unable to do so. The person selected is someone that the patient trusts to speak for him/her if he/she becomes unable to do so.
A person named in a health care directive or durable power of attorney for health care to make medical decisions for the person who signed the document, called the principal.
A Durable Power of Attorney or an Advanced Care Directive is the legal document that allows the health care proxy to make medical or health decisions, in the event that the patient becomes unable to make and/or communicate his or her wishes.
Also Known as: Agent, Patient Advocate, Attorney-in-fact
Sources:
ADAM's Illustrated Health Encyclopedia. Advanced Directives. At: http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/001908.htm
Nolo. Glossary. Definition of Health Care Proxy. Look under "H" at: http://www.nolo.com/glossary.cfm
