Do Not Resuscitate Orders and Advanced Directives

A DNR, or Do Not Resuscitate, order is a type of advanced directive written out by a doctor stating that an individual does not want to be resuscitated should they go into respiratory or cardiac arrest. The order first appeared in America in the 1960s when defibrillators came into use, allowing for individuals experiencing cardiac arrest to be resuscitated. While anyone can sign a DNR, it is typically used among patients suffering from long-term disease or among those who are terminally ill.

If a valid DNR order exists for an individual, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) should not be performed. However, if doctors or paramedics are unclear as to whether a DNR order exists for a patient, or if a DNR order is valid, they are required by law to act as if a DNR order does not exist.

For a DNR order to be valid, there are a variety of forms and signatures that may be necessary, and oftentimes these requirements vary based on jurisdiction, making medical situations involving DNR orders especially tricky. For example, Virginia has relatively relaxed laws, accepting orders from nearly any jurisdiction, whereas Maryland has much tighter laws and usually requires a state Do Not Resuscitate order with extensive verification. In some jurisdictions, doctors are told to ignore DNR orders altogether (especially prevalent among paramedics).

In order to prevent confusion and extensive family and legal disputes, a patient should be sure that they have made their wishes known explicitly to their family, friends, and medical professionals. Some jurisdictions even provide easily-visible verification for patients should they sign a DNR-something similar to a MedicAlert bracelet.

While a person who has signed a Do Not Resuscitate order will not receive intubation or resuscitation, they will still be given other forms of medical care, such as pain management, infection treatment, and intravenous feeding.

Advanced directives, such as a living will or a DNR order, ensure that your wishes for medical treatment are carried out, and alleviate tensions and arguing among family members and medical professionals. All persons over the age of 18 can fill out an advanced directive. Predominately, advanced directives are filled out by terminally ill patients or patients suffering from chronic illness.

If you are interested in filling out a Do Not Resuscitate order or another advanced directive, you should first familiarize yourself with your state's laws to ensure that your wishes are able to be fulfilled. For more information on living wills, advanced directives, or DNR orders, visit the website of the probate law specialists at Slater Kennon today at http://probatelawyeraustin.com.