Do Not Resuscitate Orders *

Together with an advance directive such as a Health Care Power of
Attorney or Living Will, you can complete a new Illinois Department of Public
Health (IDPH) Uniform Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Order Form. When properly
completed, the order instructs emergency medical crews, physicians, nursing
home and hospital personnel that you do not want them to use CPR to restart
your heart and/or breathing, and that CPR should not be attempted.

CPR is short for “cardiopulmonary resuscitation” and refers to various
medical procedures used in an effort to restart a person’s heart and/or
breathing.
Without knowing about the existence of such an order,
health care professionals will generally begin CPR when your heartbeat
and/or breathing stop. On the other hand, a valid DNR Order must be
honored in nursing homes and hospitals, and by emergency
medical services (EMS) personnel.

Before completing a DNR Order, you should discuss this option with your
health care professional and with family members. Your decision should take
into account your current health as well as your personal views regarding
resuscitation in the event of an unforeseen accident or surgery. You should
think about CPR in any discussion about life support mechanisms or organ
donation.

To be valid, you or your legally authorized representative must sign the DNR
Order Form. Your physician and an additional two witnesses must also sign
the form. The original DNR Order should be kept safely in your home to
present to EMS personnel upon an emergency call.
Your doctor should also have a copy in your medical files.

ADVOCACY TIP.

You should not fill out a DNR Order if you want all resuscitation efforts
performed under all circumstances. You are never required to complete a
DNR Order as a condition of treatment or against your wishes.

The IDPH Uniform DNR Order Form now differentiates between
full cardiopulmonary arrest” and a “pre-arrest emergency.”

A “pre-arrest emergency” means that breathing is labored or stopped but the
heart is still beating.

A DNR Order should be completed only when you do not want CPR attempted
in the event of full cardiopulmonary arrest. Once you decide that you want a
DNR order, then you have two choices on what you want to happen in the
event of a prearrest emergency.” You can decide that you want CPR in this
situation or that you do not want CPR in this situation.

Even if you have a DNR Order, your medical providers will always provide
measures other than CPR to promote your comfort and dignity.

The IDPH Uniform DNR Order Forms are available via the Department's website or by calling (217) 785-2080.

Article Source: http://freelegalinformation.info

Published by: Illinois Legal Aid