Overlook Health Systems

BRODY P.R. HELPED MAKE LIVING WILLS AN ISSUE FOR OVERLOOK HEALTH SYSTEMS

Overlook Event Educates Community on "Living Wills"

Summit, NJ (October 6, 1994) -- Former U.S. President Richard Nixon and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis specified in advance the conditions under which they would reject medical treatments to support their lives. Polls show that 80 percent of Americans would like to have more influence over the conditions of their death but only about 15 percent have taken steps to do so. To make it easier for people to ensure that their medical wishes are complied with, Overlook Hospital is sponsoring a free program entitled, "Taking Control of Your Decisions in Healthcare".

This special event, to be held in Overlook Hospital's Wallace Auditorium on October 26 at 7:00 p.m., features the screening of the film "Life Support Decisions: A Guide to Self Determination", as well as small and large group discussions facilitated by members of the hospital's bioethics committee.

"People should be familiar with advance directives and fill out a living will -- before they have an accident or become incapacitated," says George Solovay, member of the Overlook Hospital Bioethics Committee. "If there's no clear directive and you are unable to communicate, your treatment preferences can't be taken into consideration."

In 1991 a federal law was passed, requiring that hospitals, nursing homes or other health care facilities inquire whether patients have written directives which outline their treatment choices. The law, known as the Patient Self-Determination Act, has its roots in Missouri, where Nancy Cruzan lay in a vegetative state for seven years after an accident. An advance directive, in the form of a living will or health-care proxy, would have provided the evidence which would have honored the parents' request to remove Nancy's feeding tube without taking their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Overlook program, "Taking Control of Your Decisions in Healthcare" is designed to enable people to choose their own destiny. Produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the film features people in real life situations who wanted death with dignity. Nell Knightly, R.N., a member of the Bioethics Committee will moderate the large group discussion. Registration is requested for this special event. For more information or to register, please contact the Health Connection at (908)522-5353.

LANDMARK CASES IN DECISIONS ON LIFE AND DEATH

22 year-old Karen Ann Quinlan went into a coma in 1975, was put on a respirator and declared brain dead. Her father petitioned the New Jersey trial court to terminate the use of a respirator. At this time, New Jersey did not have a statutory definition of death, nor had there been any prior litigation in the state involving the concept of "brain death." After the trial court denied Mr. Quinlan's request, the New Jersey Supreme Court finally ruled that upon concurrence of the guardian, the attending physician, and ethics committee, "life support systems" could be withdrawn.

Hilda Peter was a 65 year-old nursing home patient in a persistent vegetation state, whose life was being sustained by a nasogastric feeding tube. While competent, she had executed a durable power of attorney, naming a close friend to make medical decisions for her. After being turned down by the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly to remove the feeding tube, the friend appealed to the New Jersey Supreme Court. They agreed that treatment could be terminated because Hilda Peter's wishes had been clearly demonstrated.

 

THIS NEWSLETTER EXCERPT WAS WRITTEN FOR OVERLOOK'S CORPORATE CARE DIVISION

Encouraging Employee Wellness

Unhealthy habits such as smoking, overeating, substance abuse, and a sedentary lifestyle may result in lost productivity in the workplace and higher healthcare costs. One of the most effective ways of encouraging employee wellness is through education.
Most people want to break their bad habits. According to Overlook CorporateCare, a leading provider of health and wellness programs, many employers are taking the first step toward motivating people to abandon bad habits. Companies, both small and large, are offering health screenings and wellness education in the workplace to encourage their workers to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Corporations such as Red Devil, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, Merck, and Seton Hall University have asked Overlook CorporateCare to provide educational programs for employees. These workshops, seminars, and screenings can help enhance employees' knowledge of how to quit smoking, lose weight, and get into shape.

If someone is overweight, they have an increased threat of high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure, two of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease. Educate these employees about how to exercise and eat properly and they can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lessen the risk of heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, and some types of cancer. For example, in its weight management program, Overlook CorporateCare assists employees who want to lose weight and learn about lifelong weight loss and proper nutrition. Through its fitness motivation classes, employees can learn about the benefits of exercise and how to get started.

Smokers, who have a higher incidence of cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular problems, can learn the most effective approaches to quitting from Overlook CorporateCare's smoking cessation course. Participants are encouraged to change their smoking behavior and quit for life.

For more information or a free needs assessment, please call Overlook CorporateCare at 908-654-6095.

Want to keep your employees healthy? Please fax this form back to us at 908-654-3727, mail to Overlook CorporateCare, 608 Sherwood Parkway, Mountainside, NJ 07092 or please call us at 908-654-6095 for an immediate response. Thank you.