What is a DNR?

[Freeme3820]

Just curious, what falls under this, is it only if your heart stops that doctors have to step back or is it that they can't stop you dying at all, for example I once lost alot of blood and without intervention to stop that bleeding I would of died, under a DNR would they of still kept me alive or stepped back and let me die? X

 

[BPD Barbie]

DNRs are funny things and have strict protocols around them. For example, they have to be signed by a doctor for one. Also, they usually state the DNR is only valid if you're dying from a certain something. So again, let's say someone has cancer and they start choking, they can be revived because the DNR says it has to be by cancer.

 

[Nohopeinhell]

I have never in my 15 years of nursing came across a healthy person with a DNR (Im in the UK)

Generally, the DNR is signed by the doctor as part of the patients medical treatment plan. It can apply in hospitals, care facilities and at home/in the community. Facilities may have their own additional forms and steps to take. A DNR is typically for patients who are terminally ill, suffering from an end-stage condition or a persistent vegetative state.

A doctor needs to validate them based on your current medical illness. They usually are reviewed often.

*edit*
DNR = no CPR or mouth to mouth.

Its when someone stops breathing or the heart stops.(most of it is based around the heart stopping) Its usually because the person is too frail to receive cpr and they will probably cause more damage than good even if the person survives.

If its anything else like choking as mentioned above, they will help you. Long as your hearts still beating.

If it was someone bleeding out they would also generally help you. They will help you for anything to prevent you dying, but if your heart stopped or you stopped breathing instantly then they wouldn't be able to help as they aren't allowed to do CPR as the person is already dead and they legally can't do any procedure to bring that person back.

 

[Wisdom3_1-9]

Yes, you need a physician to sign off on a DNR. If you're a healthy individual, you might be more interested in a health care directive (or "living will"). This would enable you to specify your healthcare wishes in case you were incapacitated, or to appoint a proxy to make decisions on your behalf. With no directive, your next of kin is often automatically your proxy.

 

[Freeme3820]

Thank you for the info, I was just curious tbh, i honestly think that if somebody wants a DNR no matter what there health then it should be allowed. X

Yes, you need a physician to sign off on a DNR. If you're a healthy individual, you might be more interested in a health care directive (or "living will"). This would enable you to specify your healthcare wishes in case you were incapacitated, or to appoint a proxy to make decisions on your behalf. With no directive, your next of kin is often automatically your proxy.

What country is this for? I'm in the UK, this seems pretty interesting x

 

[TAW122]

An DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order is an legal order that allows the patient to refuse CPR and other life-saving treatment in the event that said patient is unable to make medical decisions (incapacitated and/or otherwise unconscious) and yes, it requires a physician to sign off to be legally binding. @BPD Barbie is correct on this as well as the scope of when the patient is allowed to let nature take it's course. In short, it is not likely to be honored in the event of a CTB attempt so I wouldn't necessarily rely on that.

 

[Isadeth]

Please be aware that if you're found by a paramedic and have a DNR and/or have Advanced Directives, they will NOT respect them. It's not malicious on their part, but it's fast paced and they are there to get you medical treatment.

 

[torimandy]

Unless they have changed things recently a DNR order unfortunately will not apply in AMERICA. It is over ridden by the legal presidence that you have committed a crime by trying to take your own life and they are medically required to do everything they can regardless of your directive to make you viable to face the pending charges. America is the dumbest country in the world.

 

[Freeme3820]

Unless they have changed things recently a DNR order unfortunately will not apply in AMERICA. It is over ridden by the legal presidence that you have committed a crime by trying to take your own life and they are medically required to do everything they can regardless of your directive to make you viable to face the pending charges. America is the dumbest country in the world.

Wait, WHAT? is that true, that's crazy,, the only time I've heard of anyone getting in trouble for trying to ctb over here is if they are trying to jump off a motorway bridge but even then it's rare. I diddent realize it was like that in the US x

 

[torimandy]

It

Wait, WHAT? is that true, that's crazy,, the only time I've heard of anyone getting in trouble for trying to ctb over here is if they are trying to jump off a motorway bridge but even then it's rare. I diddent realize it was like that in the US x

is absolutely true.

 

[Meditation guide]

under a DNR would they of still kept me alive or stepped back and let me die?

It is my understanding based on some research I did that there are only two states in the US where doctors have to honor DNR orders. I know one is Oregon and I wish I lived there.
So my guess is that hospitals ignore them. Not sure about doctors but they probably do too. Everyone is scared of being sued.

Please be aware that if you're found by a paramedic and have a DNR and/or have Advanced Directives, they will NOT respect them.

In the US I'm sure this is true. Not sure about other countries.

 

[Freeme3820]

It is my understanding based on some research I did that there are only two states in the US where doctors have to honor DNR orders. I know one is Oregon and I wish I lived there.
So my guess is that hospitals ignore them. Not sure about doctors but they probably do too. Everyone is scared of being sued.


In the US I'm sure this is true. Not sure about other countries.

I have a feeling each country is slightly different. Its mad because I'm pretty sure there are certain religions that are against certain procedures (like blood transfusions) and they have to follow in them circumstances, it should be everyone's right to have some kind of death plan x

 

[Meditation guide]

We can order the forms from a branch of our state government here and have our doctor sign a DNR form but I'm not sure why if they do not honor them. It's crazy. The government in the US mostly works against people. It seems to do all it possibly can to make people miserable.

Doctors aren't much help either. They don't give a damn.

 

[Toobrokentofix]

Yes, you need a physician to sign off on a DNR. If you're a healthy individual, you might be more interested in a health care directive (or "living will"). This would enable you to specify your healthcare wishes in case you were incapacitated, or to appoint a proxy to make decisions on your behalf. With no directive, your next of kin is often automatically your proxy.

This is what my friend did. She had BPD as her diagnosis and drank antifreeze and took herself to hospital with a living will. She was made comfortable and not treated and died in hospital

 

[Meditation guide]

drank antifreeze and took herself to hospital with a living will. She was made comfortable and not treated and died in hospital

How nice to hear she was made comfortable and not worked on relentlessly like they do here. This couldn't have been in the U.S. was it?

 

[Freeme3820]

We can order the forms from a branch of our state government here and have our doctor sign a DNR form but I'm not sure why if they do not honor them. It's crazy. The government in the US mostly works against people. It seems to do all it possibly can to make people miserable.

Doctors aren't much help either. They don't give a damn.

Yea it does sound a bit baffling, someone suggested a living will, I looked it up and that seemed pretty useful, I mean I had a quick read of it so still need to have a good look at it but so far it seems alright x

 

[Wisdom3_1-9]

Emergency response teams are required to work to save you. A DNR might prevent it, but as @Isadeth said, they will likely work to save you. The advanced directive is typically only useful if emergency measures are not helpful and you end up catatonic or otherwise incapacitated.

 

[Toobrokentofix]

How nice to hear she was made comfortable and not worked on relentlessly like they do here. This couldn't have been in the U.S. was it?

No, this was in the UK. She walked into the hospital and handed them the letter and they didn't stop her. I was surprised that this was legal in the UK; especially as It was due to her mental health and she was only in her 20s, but the doctors did not want to assault her by actively treating her when she had made it clear this was not what she wanted

 

[Isadeth]

Emergency response teams are required to work to save you. A DNR might prevent it, but as @Isadeth said, they will likely work to save you. The advanced directive is typically only useful if emergency measures are not helpful and you end up catatonic or otherwise incapacitated.

Unfortunately they do not respect any do not resuscitate orders. But you're right. They're required to save you and advanced Directives are more hospital settings.