What authority does a healthcare surrogate lack?

In situations involving healthcare surrogacy, it is important to understand the limitations placed on the authority of a healthcare surrogate. The role of a healthcare surrogate is primarily to make medical decisions on behalf of a patient who is unable to do so themselves, but this authority is bound by the patient's rights and expressed wishes.

When considering the option regarding placing a patient into a facility if the patient refuses, it becomes clear that a healthcare surrogate cannot overrule the express wishes of the patient. If a patient is competent enough to refuse placement in a facility, that refusal must be respected by the surrogate. This principle is grounded in the ethical and legal importance of patient autonomy—patients have the right to make decisions about their own care, including whether or not they wish to be admitted to a facility.

Thus, the healthcare surrogate lacks the authority to force a patient into a facility against their will, as this would violate the patient’s rights and autonomy. This highlights the essential balance between the surrogate's responsibilities and the fundamental rights of the patient.

The other options represent situations where a surrogate's authority might be presumed or defined within a broader scope of medical decision-making, especially in cases where patients may lack the capacity to make decisions or express their wishes clearly.