[phojo]

Former Paramedic here—DNR means Do Not Resuscitate, i.e. no CPR, defibrillator etc. Best to call 911 and let the professionals handle it as laws vary from state to state.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

“Where I’m from,” EMTs are bound by law to perform CPR if summoned, regardless of whether the victim has a DNR.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

I listened to a doctor being interviewed on NPR. He has DNR tattooed on his left chest. He said only 8% (9.%1 per American Heart Association) of people who receive out-of-hospital CPR survive. Of those 8 people 4 will require life-long care due to serious disability, 4 will return to their previous lives with some form of disability, and 2 (2%) will return to their lives and function at the same level as they did prior to CPR. A google search will show survival figures as high as 45% which is why I used The American Heart Association.

Unfortunately a DNR tattoo will be disregarded by EMTs because it isn't a bona fide legal document- i.e. signature, witness signature, etc., and EMTs are fearful that honoring this tattoo would subject them to legal trouble.

That fits in with the research I’ve read. 8 percent. Eight people out of 100. The numbers get confusing because there are various things being counted, such as these:
Percentage of stopped hearts restarted on the scene (this will be the highest percentage).
Percentage of stopped hearts restarted and still beating when the people reach the hospital (somewhat lower).
Percentage of stopped hearts restarted with the people still alive when they exit the hospital and go to rehab or a long-term care facility, whether or not the people have permanent mental or physical damage or are likely to ever go home alive. (Welcome to high medical costs.)
Percentage of stopped hearts where the people go home from the hospital and return to golfing, dining out, going on cruises, etc. (A much lower percentage.)
Percentage of strapped hearts restarted where the people are home and in good health three years later. (This tends to be the eight in a hundred one.)

[airstreamingypsy]

Funny story, I was tooling around the USA when I lived in my Airstream. I was in Minnesota, I think, and saw a big sign on a building that said... DNR. My brain thought... wow, that take Do Not Resuscitate seriously here. <g>

[Sanibel]

I know you’re asking about calling 911 but please note, 911 will not honor a DNR unless it’s on yellow paper. So if you have one make sure it’s on yellow paper and attach it to your refrigerator for easy access.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

Funny story, I was tooling around the USA when I lived in my Airstream. I was in Minnesota, I think, and saw a big sign on a building that said... DNR. My brain thought... wow, that take Do Not Resuscitate seriously here. <g>

Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources) also know as Game Wardens.
I cannot confirm whether or not they would've performed CPR on you, but you could've bought a fishing license!!!!

[blueash]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

“Where I’m from,” EMTs are bound by law to perform CPR if summoned, regardless of whether the victim has a DNR.

Where is that place "where you are from"? I know from your signature you are from the South

[Lea N]

It varies depending on circumstances. My husband's doctor told us that if someone has a DNR they can put it on their refrigerator, the EMT's will look there and follow the instructions.

[kimmerlie]

I have been a hospice nurse for 34 years (now a volunteer). I have cared for 100's of dying people and here is what I have learned: There is a serious problem in end of life care that needs to be fixed. Misconceptions, misinformation and ignorance are causing unnecessary suffering, both physically and emotionally.
I give presentations in The Villages to church groups, book clubs, neighborhoods, and clubs looking for a speaker. I do not charge a fee. Those attending will be educated and empowered to take control of crucial decisions that are often left to medical and bureaucratic systems that have little understanding of their real needs, It will bring assurance that the end of life does not have to be a physically painful, frightening , or isolated experience.It will give them hope that their end of life doesn't have to be a miserable, sometimes terror filled experience as so often happens when people aren't informed. Education is the key and the time to learn is now.
my website: Spirit Matters - About

[nancyre]

EMTs by nature will perform life-saving technics including resuscitation automatically. When mom was on Hospice we were told specifically NOT to call 911 - but we also had the MOLST form posted on the bedroom door handle. Resuscitation can be extremely painful for certain individuals and often does not have a high success rate. A MOLST form is a home DNR in certain states. Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment - Wikipedia

[asianthree]

Sadly you can have every legal form possible for DNR, but the family that is with the DNR patient, can hide it in their pocket, despite your wishes. Sometimes family just can’t let them go. My brother is one of those people, no matter what he is going to stick form in his pocket, and call 911. He just can’t let his parents die no matter what.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by bsloan1960

cool. I also know someone who recovered after cpr. However, if the statistic is to be believed your chances of returning to life / a quality life are remote. I would opt for dnr- but that just happens to be my choice.

there's the rights of the living to be considered here. Can't imagine the guilt trip for the person who assisted someone's death by not calling 911

[Mitzidoodles]

No. DNR just means that you refuse life saving measures such as intubation and artificial respiration. I was a medic for 6 years. If you are DNR and need to call 911, do so.

[bark4me]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree. Also, I would be concerned about possible liability by not calling 911. As I understand it, unless someone is receiving Hospice care, any death in a home needs to be investigated.

Yes and no. If the death is "an attended death" and a doctor is willing to sign off on the death certificate, then no police or 911 involvement needed. Also in many cases where the death is "unattended" and the person was in bad health and a doctor is willing to sign off on the death certificate,
then no need for police or 911. Especially in cases where the person is in hospice care.
After the hospice nurse comes to confirm death, all you need to do is call the funeral home to come pick up the decedent.
Been there, done that many times. Good luck with it.

[flamilak]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I always assumed the DNR provided direction to emergency care workers (EMTs, emergency rooms, doctors, etc) and possibly neighborhood AED teams.

Today, I would call 911 and let the trained professionals make the appropriate medical decision. Today there is no DNR in place for anyone I know. I don't know what I might do if the DNR applied to someone I care about - I hope I never find myself in that position.

I worked in 911/dispatch in New York for 31 years and can confidently say that you are correct… Calling 911 has nothing to do with a DNR.

You can tell the 911 operator that there is a DNR in place…