DNR order

DNR Order

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a legal order written either in the hospital or on a legal form to respect the wishes of a patient to not undergo CPR or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) if their heart were to stop or they were to stop breathing. The order is specific to CPR and does not affect any other treatments, such as pain medicine, medicines for shortness of breath, and other comfort measures.

Overview

A DNR order on a patient's file means that a doctor is not required to resuscitate a patient if their heart stops and is designed to prevent unnecessary suffering. The DNR order is a decision made by the patient or their health care proxy, and allows the medical teams taking care of them to respect their wishes.

Legal Status

In many countries, DNR orders are legally binding. The exact procedures vary, but in general, a DNR order must be written by a doctor and placed in the patient's medical chart. In some jurisdictions, DNR orders can also be recorded in a legal document such as a living will or health care proxy.

Ethical Considerations

The decision to implement a DNR order is a personal one, and can be based on a variety of factors, including quality of life, potential for recovery, and personal beliefs. Many people choose to discuss this decision with their loved ones and healthcare providers. It's important to note that a DNR order does not mean that all medical treatments are stopped. Other treatments and comfort measures continue to be provided.

See Also

• Advance healthcare directive
• Living will
• Health care proxy
• CPR
• ACLS

References

DNR order Resources
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