Decision-Making in Grand Rapids Hospitals

Making medical decisions in a hospital can feel overwhelming, especially if you are admitted suddenly or facing a serious diagnosis. In Grand Rapids, MI, patients receive care from major health systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health. Understanding how to make informed choices in these hospital settings can help you feel more confident and prepared.

Making Important Decisions as a Patient in Grand Rapids

Some decisions are best made before you go to the hospital, while others can only be made during your stay. In West Michigan, where winters are cold and icy and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes are common, planning ahead is especially important for older adults and people with ongoing health issues.

Support from family, friends, and your Grand Rapids healthcare team can make this process easier. You do not have to make decisions alone.

Decisions to Consider Before Going to the Hospital

1. Financial and Insurance Decisions

Before a planned hospital stay or surgery in Grand Rapids, think through the financial side of your care:

  • Will you receive care at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, Metro Health Hospital, or another local facility?
  • Will you be treated as:
    • A patient in a nonprofit health system (such as Corewell or Trinity), or
    • A private patient with specific insurance coverage and provider preferences?

Questions to ask your insurance company and hospital billing department:

  • Is the hospital in-network for my insurance plan?
  • What will my co-pay, deductible, or coinsurance be for:
    • Emergency visits
    • Inpatient stays
    • Surgery or procedures
  • Are there separate charges for:
    • The hospital
    • The surgeon
    • The anesthesiologist
    • Imaging or lab tests

You can contact the financial counseling departments at Grand Rapids hospitals or the Kent County Health Department for guidance on local resources, assistance programs, and questions about coverage.

2. Documenting Your Future Healthcare Wishes

Planning ahead for your future medical care is especially important if you have chronic conditions, are older, or are at higher risk of serious illness (for example, from respiratory infections that are more common in Michigan’s cold winters).

Key documents to consider:

Advance Care Plan / Advance Directive

  • An advance directive (also called an advance care plan) allows you to record your preferences for medical care if you are unable to communicate.
  • You can state your wishes about:
    • Life-support treatments (ventilators, feeding tubes)
    • Resuscitation (CPR or “Do Not Resuscitate” orders)
    • Pain management and comfort care
    • End-of-life care location (home, hospital, hospice)

In Michigan, these documents are often called a Patient Advocate Designation and Advance Directive. Hospitals in Grand Rapids can provide forms, or you can find information through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources
  • Your primary care provider’s office

Medical Power of Attorney (Patient Advocate)

  • In Michigan, you can appoint a patient advocate (similar to a medical power of attorney).
  • This person can legally make healthcare decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
  • Choose someone who:
    • Understands your values and wishes
    • Is willing to speak up on your behalf
    • Can stay calm under stress

Discuss your preferences with them clearly and in advance.

  • While your will mainly addresses your finances and property, it is wise to review it when you are planning for a hospital stay.
  • Consider talking with a Michigan attorney familiar with estate planning and healthcare directives.

Making Decisions While You Are in a Grand Rapids Hospital

Once you are admitted to a hospital in Grand Rapids, you will need to make decisions about your treatment and care. This may include:

  • Whether to have surgery or a procedure
  • Which medications to take
  • Whether to transfer to another facility (for example, rehab, skilled nursing, or hospice)

You can ask for help from:

  • Your doctor or surgeon
  • Hospital nurses
  • Patient advocates or patient representatives
  • Social workers or case managers
  • Chaplains or spiritual care providers
  • Family members or trusted friends

All major Grand Rapids hospitals have patient relations or patient advocacy departments that can help you understand your rights and options.

When you agree to have surgery or a medical procedure, you will be asked to give your informed consent. This means:

  • Your doctor must explain:
    • What the procedure is
    • Why it is recommended
    • The main benefits
    • The possible risks and complications
    • Any alternatives, including not having the procedure
  • You have the right to:
    • Ask questions until you understand
    • Request written information
    • Take time (when medically safe) to think about your decision
    • Involve a family member or patient advocate in discussions

You should not feel rushed into signing consent forms unless it is an emergency and delaying treatment would be dangerous.

In an emergency situation—such as a serious car accident on I-196 or a sudden heart attack—where you cannot communicate effectively, your consent to life-saving treatment is usually implied.

This means:

  • Doctors at Grand Rapids emergency departments (such as Butterworth Hospital, Metro Health, or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) are allowed to provide urgent treatment needed to save your life or prevent serious harm, even if you cannot give formal consent.
  • If you have an advance directive or a DNR order, make sure it is easily accessible and that your family and patient advocate know about it so hospital staff can follow your wishes whenever possible.

Your Right to a Second Opinion in Grand Rapids

In Grand Rapids, you have the right to seek a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment options.

You might consider a second opinion when:

  • You are facing major surgery
  • You have a new serious diagnosis (such as cancer, heart disease, or a neurological condition)
  • You feel uncertain about the recommended treatment

You can:

  • Ask your current doctor for a referral to another specialist within the same health system (e.g., another physician at Corewell Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids)
  • Seek a second opinion from a different system in the area (for example, from Metro Health – University of Michigan Health or Mercy Health)
  • Check with your insurance provider about coverage for second opinions

A Simple Approach to Making Healthcare Decisions

When you are in the hospital, it can be hard to think clearly, especially if you are in pain or stressed. This simple process can help:

1. Consider the Decision

  • What exactly is the decision?
  • Why does it need to be made?
  • How much time do you have to decide?

2. Explore Your Options

For each option, list:

  • The main benefits
  • The main risks or side effects
  • How it may affect your daily life in Grand Rapids (for example, ability to work, drive in winter, care for family)

Ask your care team to explain options in plain language and avoid medical jargon.

3. Identify What You Need to Decide

Think about:

  • Your knowledge: Do you understand your condition and the proposed treatment?
  • Your values: What matters most to you (living independently, avoiding certain side effects, comfort, longevity)?
  • Your support: Do you have enough help from family, friends, or a patient advocate?
  • Your confidence: Are you sure you are making the best choice for you, given your health and life situation?

If you feel unsure, ask for more information, written materials, or a second opinion.

Leaving the Hospital Against Medical Advice

Even if you are frustrated with wait times, staffing issues, or aspects of your care, leaving a Grand Rapids hospital against medical advice (AMA) can be dangerous.

Leaving AMA can:

  • Put your health at risk if your condition is not stable
  • Increase your chances of being readmitted
  • Complicate insurance coverage in some situations

Before choosing to leave:

  • Ask to speak with:
    • Your doctor
    • The charge nurse
    • A patient advocate or case manager
  • Explain your concerns (pain control, communication, wait times, or discharge planning)
  • See if there are safer options, such as:
    • Adjusting your treatment plan
    • Transferring to another unit or facility
    • Planning a structured discharge with follow-up care in Grand Rapids

Planning for End-of-Life Care in Grand Rapids

If your condition is terminal or you are living with advanced illness, it is important to think about where and how you want to receive care in your final days.

Questions to consider:

  • Do you prefer to be:
    • At home in Grand Rapids with hospice support?
    • In a hospital such as Butterworth or Trinity Health Grand Rapids?
    • In a local hospice facility or skilled nursing center?
  • What level of treatment do you want (full life support vs. comfort-focused care)?
  • Have you clearly communicated your wishes to:
    • Your family
    • Your patient advocate
    • Your doctors?

Local resources to explore:

  • Hospice programs associated with Grand Rapids hospitals
  • Palliative care teams at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health
  • Guidance from the Kent County Health Department and local senior services organizations

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you need help making healthcare decisions before or during a hospital stay, you can reach out to:

  • Your primary care doctor or specialist
  • Hospital staff, including:
    • Your doctor or surgeon
    • Nurses
    • Social workers or case managers
    • Patient relations / patient advocates
  • Local health resources:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs
  • Legal and community resources for:
    • Advance directives
    • Patient advocate designations
    • Estate planning

Key Points for Grand Rapids Patients

  • Making important decisions as a patient in a Grand Rapids hospital can be daunting, but you do not have to do it alone.
  • Some decisions—like financial planning and advance directives—are best made before you go to the hospital.
  • In an emergency, if you cannot communicate effectively, your consent to urgent treatment is usually implied.
  • It is your right to:
    • Have your treatment options clearly explained, including risks and benefits.
    • Ask questions and take time to decide when it is safe to do so.
    • Seek a second opinion about your diagnosis or treatment.
  • When making decisions, explore your options, list the main benefits and risks of each, and make sure your choices reflect your values and health goals.
  • Local Grand Rapids hospitals and public health agencies offer support, education, and resources to help you make informed healthcare decisions.