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Reference.org
Surrogate decision-maker
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<p>A surrogate decision maker, also known as a <a href="/facts/Health_care_proxy/l5qkFtnm">health care proxy</a> or as agents, is an <a href="/facts/Advocacy/K0XM1Nnj">advocate</a> for incompetent <a href="/facts/Patient/b0SWyyVD">patients</a>. If a patient is unable to make decisions for themselves about personal care, a surrogate agent must make decisions for them. If there is a durable <a href="/facts/Power_of_attorney/e5A4P5vC">power of attorney</a> for health care, the agent appointed by that document is authorized to make health care decisions within the scope of authority granted by the document. If people have court-appointed guardians with authority to make health care decisions, the guardian is the authorized surrogate. </p>