What is the role of the health care surrogate?

The role of a health care surrogate is to make health decisions on behalf of another individual who is unable to do so themselves, often due to medical conditions or incapacitation. This representative, usually appointed through a legal document such as a durable power of attorney for health care, is tasked with ensuring that the preferences and best interests of the patient are honored and upheld, particularly in critical or end-of-life scenarios.

This authority can encompass a variety of medical decisions, such as consenting to or refusing specific treatments, selecting healthcare providers, and making choices about continuing or discontinuing life-sustaining measures. Ultimately, the surrogate's responsibility revolves around the ethical duty to respect the wishes of the patient, ideally informed by prior discussions or the patient's known wishes.

The other options listed pertain to specific responsibilities that are typically outside the purview of a health care surrogate. They encompass direct medical or administrative tasks, such as conducting medical examinations, administering medications, or managing facility staff, which are responsibilities suited for qualified healthcare professionals or facility administrators.