ICU legal spouse questions

[columbo1]

My dad is in the ICU at the cancer center on a ventilator and cannot speak for himself. He is legally married to my mom and we just found out he has a girlfriend. She claims she has POA over my father. This girlfriend has POA at the hospital on paper, but my dad requested verbally that my sister to be POA but was not able to sign the paperwork. Who has more power my legal mom or the girlfriend that claims POA. What to do.

[ICUsteps-Peter Partner ICUsteps]

Sorry to hear about these issues on top of dealing with such difficult health matters. It sounds like an area where lawyers may need to be involved to sort out any dispute. The hospital may have a patient liaison service (PALS) who might be able to advise you on what to do as a first step.

I hope these things are resolved soon and that your Dad's condition improves.