(a) Competent principal.--A principal of sound mind may countermand any health care decision made by the principal's health care agent at any time and in any manner by personally informing the attending physician or health care provider.
(b) Incompetent principal.--Regardless of the principal's mental or physical capacity, a principal may countermand a health care decision made by the principal's health care agent that would withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment at any time and in any manner by personally informing the attending physician.
(c) Attending physician.--The attending physician or health care provider shall make reasonable efforts to promptly inform the health care agent of a countermand under this section.
(d) Health care agent.--A countermand exercised under this section shall not affect the authority of a health care agent to make other health care decisions in accordance with the health care power of attorney.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES
Section 5423 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 5425 - Conflicting advance health care directives
Section 5426 - Death not suicide or homicide
Section 5428 - Health care instruments optional
Section 5430 - Effect of divorce
Section 5432 - Criminal penalties
Section 5441 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5443 - When living will operative
Section 5445 - Emergency medical services
Section 5451 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5453 - Requirements and options
Section 5454 - When health care power of attorney operative
Section 5455 - Appointment of health care agents
Section 5456 - Authority of health care agent
Section 5460 - Relation of health care agent to court-appointed guardian and other agents
Section 5461 - Decisions by health care representative
Section 5462 - Duties of attending physician and health care provider
Section 5463 - Effect on other State law
Section 5481 - Short title of subchapter
Section 5482 - Legislative findings and intent
Section 5484 - Orders, bracelets and necklaces
Section 5486 - Absence of order, bracelet or necklace