How do dnr

While the purpose of a DNR is to advise medical personnel, it may be used outside of a clinical setting as well. As many as four out of five people receiving end-of-life care are opposed to the use of aggressive lifesaving measures. For these individuals, lifesaving measures can actually be a painful hindrance. For example, some frail patients may suffer brain or organ damage when aggressive lifesaving measures are taken.

While do-not-resuscitate orders are commonly sought by aging and terminally ill patients, it is possible for a healthy person to get a DNR. In fact, many doctors have their own DNRs in place. The key is rapid intervention, and for otherwise healthy individuals, it can mean many more fruitful and productive years.

A DNR order is sometimes confused with a living will, but these are two distinct orders with different areas of focus. A living will covers ventilators, feeding tubes, blood transfusions, dialysis, and other interventions that may be attempted during a health emergency. They do not cover resuscitation. A do-not-resuscitate order is strictly focused on resuscitation in the form of CPR, cardiac drugs, or defibrillation.

It says that medical personnel will not try to revive you if your heart stops. All other medically indicated treatment is continued, unless you decide to limit it. There is a special form that must be filled out for the DNR orders to be honored in the community. Ask your physician if you want to complete one. If you are unable to communicate your wishes, the health care team relies on your advance care directives such as a health care proxy or living will.

Talk to your physician, nurse or other members of your health care team. Cardiac Chest Compression: The force applied by pressing with both arms over the mid-chest to restore circulation of blood by the heart. Because a great deal of force is needed, there can be injury to the surrounding area as a result.

CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: The vigorous emergency procedure to restore heart and lung function in someone whose heart or lungs have stopped working. Basic CPR involves chest compression and mouth-to-mouth breathing. Advanced CPR includes the use of medications to regulate blood pressure and heart rhythm, controlled electrical shock to change heart rhythm, and intubation and mechanical support of breathing.

DNR order: The physician's order to withhold resuscitation. No CPR. Cardioversion or Defibrillation: The use of controlled electrical shock to treat certain kinds of heart rhythm problems.

Intubation: A tube inserted through the mouth or nose to open the person's airway to assist with breathing. Intubation prevents a patient from talking or eating by mouth. Medications for Advance Life Support: The use of very potent medications given through the veins that help to correct problems with blood pressure "pressors" , heart rate and rhythm. Resuscitation: The use of basic or advanced life support treatments in an emergency situation begun when someone has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating.

Offering comprehensive medical, surgical and psychiatric care as well as complete emergency, ambulatory and diagnostic services to residents of southwest Boston and the surrounding suburbs. Stay Informed. The focus of this care is not to prolong life, but to treat symptoms of pain or shortness of breath, and to maintain comfort. If you decide you want a DNR order, tell your doctor and health care team what you want. Your doctor must follow your wishes, or:. If you do change your mind, talk with your doctor or health care team right away.

Also tell your family and caregivers about your decision. Destroy any documents you have that include the DNR order. If you have not named someone to speak for you, under some circumstances, a family member can agree to a DNR order for you, but only when you are not able to make your own medical decisions.

Arnold RM. Palliative care. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 3. Bullard MK. Medical ethics. Abernathy's Surgical Secrets. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Ethical considerations in the care of patients with neurosurgical disease. Cottrell and Patel's Neuroanesthesia.

Updated by: David C.