New initiative to make sure end-of- life wishes are followed - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

A new coalition is helping Siouxlanders become more clear about their medical care in an emergency or near end-of-life situation.

IPOST stands for Iowa Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment. A new state law paved the way for this type of mechanism to communicate patients' preferences. It provides more specific instructions for seriously ill patients.

Siouxland IPOST is the coalition behind the local effort. Karen Van De Steeg is the chair of that group. She said the process involves filling out a form that you carry with you. It states your wishes for any medical professionals that may care for you in an emergency.

Van De Steeg said you should complete the form if you have a chronic, critical medical condition, a life limiting illness, or are frail or elderly. Medically appropriate individuals under age 18 should also consider filling out the form, along with those who have strong opinions on end-of-life care.

Siouxland IPOST is hosting three informational meetings in March. They are free and open to the public.

March 5th: 10:00am at Sunrise Retirement Community Chapel.

March 6th: 1:00pm at St. Luke's Auxiliary Dining Room.

March 11th: 5:00pm at June E. Nylen Cancer Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room.

For more information or to register call (712) 252-9302.