Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ_Boston
First of all a living will (or healthcare surrogate or healthcare proxy or ....) is very different from a valid, physician signed, DNR.
As stated above:
In the state of Florida there is a YELLOW DNR form. Yes it must be yellow and signed by both the patient (surrogate or POA, if patient is not competent) and a medical doctor. That and only that, or evidence thereof (the laminated id strip mentioned), stop a paramedic from performing life saving procedures.
In the hospital we MUST have a physician's order (different and distinct from the yellow sheet). The yellow sheet is only for use outside the hospital. Even many of the staff in the hospital need to be educated about DNR status. I know because it is one of things I need to do as charge nurse to insure that our patient's choices are being followed correctly and to the letter of the state law.
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Thanks, Russ. Would you, by any chance, be inclined to write a letter to the editor of the Daily Sun explaining the difference and the importance of this? It's just a suggestion.