Do Not Resuscitate, or DNR order is a written order from a doctor that resuscitation should not be attempted if a person suffers cardiac or respiratory arrest.Such an order may be instituted on the basis of an advance directive from a person, or from someone entitled to make decisions on their behalf, such as a health care proxy; in some jurisdictions, such orders can be instituted on the basis of a physician's own initiative, usually when resuscitation would not alter the ultimate outcome of a disease.Any person who does not wish to undergo lifesaving treatment in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest can get a DNR order, although DNR is more commonly done when a person who has an inevitably fatal illness wishes to have a more natural death without painful or invasive medical procedures.
A Medical Power of Attorney is a form that allows you to appoint someone (your “agent”) to make health care decisions for you if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself. These decisions can include (1) agreeing to or refusing medical treatment; (2) deciding not to continue medical treatment; or (3) making decisions to stop or not start life-sustaining treatment.
Points to Remember -- The person you choose as your agent makes decision for you only if you cannot make decisions for yourself. Your agent may NOT make decisions regarding:
Voluntary inpatient mental health services
Convulsive treatment
Psychosurgery
Abortion
Withholding treatment intended for comfort.
Discuss this advance directive with the person you have chosen as your agent, your physician and/or attorney before you sign it. Also, give these individuals copies of your signed Medical Power of Attorney form. You can change or cancel your Medical Power of Attorney at any time for any reason. The Medical Power of Attorney applies only to health care decisions. It does not apply to financial matters.
This directive is an order signed by a doctor. Only patients in the terminal phase of an illness can have an Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order. This form allows the patient to refuse life-sustaining treatments when outside the hospital. Please speak with your health care provider to obtain this order.
If you are terminally ill, you might want an Out-Of-Hospital DNR. It will tell health care providers not use CPR or other live-saving procedures. If you do not have a DNR, health care providers will do everything medically possible in an effort to start your heart and help you breathe.
To prove that you have a Out-of-Hospital DNR, you must provide a copy of the document or wear a special identifying necklace or bracelet.
A Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates is a form that allows you to instruct physicians to administer, withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment when it has been determined by your physician that you have an irreversible or terminal condition and you are not able to communicate. Life-sustaining treatment is a treatment or procedure that includes life-sustaining medications and artificial life supports, such as mechanical breathing machines, kidney dialysis and artificial nutrition and hydration, that is not expected to cure your condition or make you better, and is only prolonging the moment of death.
Points to Remember -- This advance directive allows you to tell doctors and those close to you what you wish to be done or not done should you need life-sustaining treatment.
Discuss this document with your physician, family, clergy, friends or your attorney before you sign it.
You can change or cancel your Directive to Physicians and Family or Surrogates at any time for any reason.
This advance directive goes into effect only when you have a terminal or irreversible condition and are unable to make your own health care decisions.
This advance directive applies only to health care decisions. It does not apply to financial matters.
A copy of this signed advance directive should be provided to your physician, family members or significant others, the person chosen as your agent to make health care decisions and/or your attorney.
