DNR order?

[Cienanosdesoledad]

Hi, have been looking into a DNR order (Do Not Resuscitate). I am hesitant to bring up with a doctor because I don't want to raise suspicion. I saw on Amazon that there are DNR bracelets, like a medical ID bracelet. I did some research and apparently they are legit as long as they have Do Not Resusciate and that little staff symbol.

Would EMTs have to honor this in the heat of the moment?Looking into getting a living will and taping it to myself or something when the time comes but I know there is cost to that. Can our wishes be disregarded completely because of "mental" issues?

 

[15dec]

I believe DNRs are ignored if the person in question has attempted ctb.

 

[Shewaitsforme]

All that would do is indicate there may be a written DNR somewhere but untill its found and verified that braclet is not good enough cause to not attempt to save the person. I see DNRs at least once a shift and believe me i double check its on the correct coloured paper and has all the details it dhould have on there. If in any doubt its not legit ie photocopied or not available to take with us or in this case i was presented wuth a patient and braclet only (no written DNR) i would have to inform the patient if they were as we say in the trade 'go off' i am legally obligated to resusitate untill advised there is infact a legal DNR on file under their NHS number.

Anyone can purchase the barcelet remember so no its not enough to stop us at least in the North West Ambulance Service, i cant speak for other areas i dont know their policies

 

[Redt2go]

Once you get a DNR signed can you just take it to any random hospital?

 

[Shewaitsforme]

Also just to add that unless the cause for the event must relate to the reason the DNR has been placed. For instance if we are presented with an overdose we can actually ignore the DNR as there is a section on the form for reasons the person has chosen to not be resusitated and the doctor has agreed, suicide is not a valid reason. Reasons are mostly frailty, multiple co-morbidities, advanced cancer etc. If there is any reason to think that the person committing suicide is not of sound mind the DNR will be ignored untill a full capacity check can be done.

So yeah, dont be found if you dont have a valid DNR and it cant look like suicide. Your not dead till your clinically dead we even have check boxes for that too.

Taking patients home or to the hospice to die especially those who are hours or days away from the end its an eye opener to say the least. We chat if they can, sometimes i just hold their hand if they cant speak, sometimes they just sit looking out the window

 

[killing me softly]

if you're in the US there is a registry for living wills/advance directives. you first have to have a legally witnessed living will (the site does not provide this service) that you then upload to the registry. the registry then holds your living will so healthcare providers can access it. they send you stickers for your drivers license and a wallet card.

however, i think what @Shewaitsforme said above seems to be the case in the US as well. there doesn't seem to be clear law stating suicide patients should not have their DNRs honored, but the literature i saw suggests that medical professionals see it as a serious ethical dilemma and generally treat the suicide as indicative as the person not being rational at the time.

a couple of thoughts, though. if there are no obvious signs of suicide i imagine it would be more likely first responders would be more likely to honor. also, i would think that in the case of hospitalization where a patient is brain dead they would be more likely to honor as well. however, this is pure speculation on my part.

link to living will registry: http://www.usacpr.net/individuals-families/how-the-registry-works/

 

[SiArc]

I have a DNR, it needed to be not only witnessed but also notarized. Any other way it is not legally binding in my state. Funny thing is that it was give to me on my last attempt while I was in the hospital. There is nothing that says it will or can be ignored upon a suicide attempt. Mine is filled in each hospital near me and with my doctor. If they ignore my DNR I can really sue for a pretty good sum. I am going to let it be known I have one, leave a copy where emergency services can see it, and put up signs. Bit mainly I am going to make sure I am dead so it won't be an issue.