Physicians Signatures Required for DNR?

[Lillie767]

The DNRO is state specific.

In Florida, the DNRO is a medical order that must be signed by a physician and must be printed on yellow paper for it to be honored. The DNRO deals specifically with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (artificial ventilation, cardiac compression, endotracheal intubation and defibrillation).

"A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) is a form or patient identification device developed by the Department of Health to identify people who do not wish to be resuscitated in the event of respiratory or cardiac arrest. A copy of the form can be obtained by downloading the form from this site (on yellow paper only).

Do Not Resuscitate Order—Form 1896 (Multilingual)
Important! In order to be legally valid this form MUST be printed on yellow paper prior to being completed. EMS and medical personnel are only required to honor the form if it is printed on yellow paper."

https://www.floridahealth.gov/about/...ate/index.html


This differs from a Living Will.

" What is the difference between a living will and a DNRO?
A DNRO deals specifically with the refusal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest. It is a physician's order, signed and dated. Living wills, or any advanced directive, deal with a broader spectrum of end of life related issues. For information on living wills or advance directives please contact the Department of Elder Affairs helpline at (850) 414-2000."

https://www.floridahealth.gov/about/...tml#difference

[Williepaws]

I have a hard time understanding why the govt gets to tell people how to live or die without an OK by a MD. That is bizarre. None of govts business.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by Williepaws

I have a hard time understanding why the govt gets to tell people how to live or die without an OK by a MD. That is bizarre. None of govts business.

In part, to protect people from being actually murdered (as opposed to assisted suicide or a DNR).

Without that DNR, there's no proof that the patient was willing to -not- be saved. So if the EMT doesn't use the defib, and there's indication that a defib was an appropriate treatment, then the EMT could be charged with murder or homicide. With the DNR, there is clear instruction from the patient that they do not want that defib. It's in writing, co-signed by their own physician.