For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:
Debra Brase, 507-977-2330

Health Care Directives event at Owatonna Hospital Friday, April 16

OWATONNA, Minn. 04/06/2010--To raise awareness of National Health Care Decisions Day Friday, April 16, Owatonna Hospital and Allina Home & Community Services are welcoming the public to stop by the main lobby of the Owatonna Hospital from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to learn more about advance care planning and how to complete advance directive forms (healthcare power of attorney and living will).

"A health care directive gives an individual’s family direction on what kind of medical care the person wants or doesn’t want if they can't communicate," says Bill Donovan, manager of Owatonna Area Home Care & Hospice, part of Allina Home & Community Services. "We encourage people, even those not currently ill or having surgery, to make sure their loves ones are aware of their wishes. A health care directive is a way to do that."

By completing the necessary forms it helps ensure one’s wishes are known and helps family and health care providers follow a patient’s wishes when the time comes. The event at the hospital is part of National Health Care Decisions Day, a nationwide initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding health care through conversations and the completion of advance directives.

For more information, call 507-446-0936 or go to Allina Advance Care Planning or National Health Care Decision Day.

About Owatonna Hospital

Part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Owatonna Hospital is a not-for-profit hospital committed to providing exceptional care and improving the health of the communities it serves in and around Steele County. Owatonna Hospital provides a full range of health care services including a birth center, emergency care, surgery and rehabilitation. Allina has built a replacement hospital in Owatonna, off Interstate 35.