topic Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen in Wellness

Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

Carolm — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 23:33:09 GMT

I was recently visiting family in Florida and noticed a Do Not Resuscitate Order posted in the kitchen. I have never seen or heard of posting this type of document, although it does make sense I guess, and I was not comfortable asking my relative about it. Does anyone here have any information about whether this is becoming procedure in other states?

Are first responders required to follow its instructions? I am going to contact my own state and see if I can get any information, but would like to know what information you might be able to provide. Thanks, everyone.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

nana59 — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 23:45:02 GMT

When I worked at my local high school in RI, I wrote "do not resuscitate" on any employee form I had ti fill out. Now I have a living will.....guess it's because my mom was resusitated from a heart attack and remained in a coma for almost a year. Just something I don't want my family to go through....

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

lolakimono — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:02:42 GMT

@Carolm

Did someone have a stroke?

It sounds to me like there is a risk of choking.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

RedTop — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:03:38 GMT

My mother has signed a DNR order; her doctor has signed off on it, and this document has been registered with the State of WV. Registering the document means that any facility treating my mother can access this document for information on her last wishes. Instructions suggest posting this document in plain sight to help alert any responding EMS personnel; Moms order is posted on her refrigerator.

It is my understanding first responders must follow the instructions UNLESS the patient actually voices otherwise.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

SilleeMee — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:05:04 GMT

I have a will and directives documentation package. My directives are also posted on my fridge. I live alone so it's important to me to make it visible to anyone who comes in my house.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

judy0330 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:06:10 GMT

My mother in law had her DNR posted in the kitchen. She lived alone and did it in the hope that if first responders came and she was alone in the house and unable to verbalize her wishes they would see it.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

pigletsmom — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:07:15 GMT

The ones we have here are I think NY forms and they are neon pink. They are supposed to be put someplace noticeable because they are supposed to be followed by medical personnel. You're also supposed to bring it with you if you go to the hospital for something and it would be made known to the hospital employees.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

homedecor1 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:13:16 GMT

I live in FL and I was told when I filled out my paperwork for the community files that I should put any important documents, DNR, etc. in this container in my freezer.

Apparently, the paramedics here are instructed to look in freezer for these documents if person is unresponsive. Now, I know why when I used to visit my FIL he had them in his freezer (duplicates). Originals in safe.

I have mine in a lock n lock in my freezer folded with my emergency contacts and DNR. Hope I won't need to use it anytime soon.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

catwhisperer — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:17:38 GMT

DH has DNR papers in a folder with a magnet on the back which is on the side of our fridge. He was under hospice care earlier this year and we were instructed to place these papers on the fridge for emergency personnel.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

conlt — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:25:15 GMT

In Florida the DNR is posted on the refrigerator or on the persons bed headboard. That is so the EMS can find it fast.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

tucsongal — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:50:13 GMT

In AZ, the paper is bright orange and intended to be posted on the refrigerator.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

Gram W — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:58:47 GMT

It sounds like the laws may have changed. I live in NY and when my husband filled out his forms in his doctors office for him and the hospital we were told that everyone had to abide by his instructions except ambulance personnel. They were to follow their rules and once in the hospital your wishes would-be honored. We understand because we would not want them to have to access his needs or demise during that rush.

My husband's forms were filled out, signed and witnessed in his specialist office and they have a copy to the hospital where it was put in his file. He carried a copy and the original was in my pocketbook. They were in all those places for 4 years. He was in the IC for overnight observation for an AM procedure. His 2 doctors had just left us and all was a go for morning. He was in the best shape in over a year. As I sent to leave he had an attack. The nurses forced me out of the room and held me outside. I kept telling them he had a DNR order. They said not. They refused to give me my purse, refused to recheck his records, refused to call his doctor who was still in the hospital. They did their thing several times before they gave up. When they finally took me to him his bedsheets were without a wrinkle. He was stone cold. That is all another story but when the subject comes up I suggest people learn their laws and make sure everyone knows. We did all we were told and the intensive care employees did not follow the current laws.

When the surgeon and the specialist arrived the next AM for the check before surgery they found out what happened. I will just say the fur flew for quite awhile. They were furious.

I will look I to NY current laws. I have been avoiding it but it has to be done. Our family had a time when we did not have papers. Watching a loved one exist but have no brain activity and had to be kept on machines is hard. The ordeal almost caused us to lose 2 older family members who had heart problems. The doctor came in the middle of the night and gave us a choice. Watch Mom for another 3 weeks and lose Dad and Gram (her mother) or turn off the machines and let G D take over. We had Gram and Dad several more years. I don't want my children to have to make that choice.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

SXMGirl — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 01:05:14 GMT

Thank you to all who posted here. I have never heard of posting a DNR or any other necessary info either on the fridge or putting the paperwork in a Lock N Lock in the freezer. This will definitely be something that I will be doing in the next week. I have no idea if our EMT personnel even know to look for the info in the kitchen, but I will also be checking that out. Thanks again.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

Laura14 — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 01:18:30 GMT

Not to make light of a serious subject, but my first thought was "Wow, how bad is the cook?"

Never heard of this either but mental note for my future self. Fabulous idea.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

Carolm — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 01:21:08 GMT

Thanks, all, for posting. I appreciate your input. I now need to decide whether or not I'm ready to post my wishes.

@lolakimono - no choking history. @Gram W - so sorry your husband's wishes were disregarded. It seems to me that the personnel involved could have been in serious trouble.

I wish you all a good evening.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

pigletsmom — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 01:56:05 GMT

@Gram W That's really awful. I'm in NY and I'm pretty sure that EMS workers and the like are to abide by the DNR. I can't remember for sure. My friend had one when he was going under hospice care and I just remember them telling us to bring it if he needed to go to the hospital for anything. He wasn't leaving the house at that point.

I do know someone whose friend has a DNR. She said she keeps one in the glove box of her car and has a big note on the glove box door saying it's in there.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

Gram W — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 02:05:43 GMT

@pigletsmom. He died in 1994 so much has changed since then. At that EMTs were the only people who did not have to abide by the papers. That is why he told me to never call an ambulance. Just get him to the van myself while he can help. I will look into things before I sign anything.

S Orry for the underlines. Don't know where they came from. Will correct.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

pitdakota — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 02:16:29 GMT

In the state of Kentucky, a specific form must be completed that identifies a DNR for that specific individual in order for EMS to without CPR if they are called to a location. So people here post them in their homes and also carry copies of it when they are out and about. The law states that if EMS arrives, unless the document is provided or visible, EMS must perform CPR and advanced cardiac life support. This is regardless of what others there may say.

However, that document does not suffice as a living will if hospitalized. So in the event of hospitalization a living will must be produced.

It would be important to check state law to make sure you know what the laws are in your state.

One thing for people to think about if you live alone & have the papers required by your state is to put them close to your medications. EMS crews responding to a call with no other party present will look for medications the person is taking. So placing the required notice for EMS close to where your medications are is not a bad idea. And other family members, neighbors, etc should know where the appropriate document for your state can be located in your home.

As nurses here we joke that we would post them in every room, lol!

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

mustang66lady — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 02:16:59 GMT

I'm a retired R.N.living in IL. I had a female patient who had "DO NOT RESUSCITATE" tattooed on her chest over the heart area. She must have signed some type of paper that the tattoo artist copied because her signature was tattooed next to the order. She told me she didn't want any questions to what her final wishes were. Don't know how legal this is in any state and in over 30 years of nursing, this is the only patient that I took care of, that went to this extent. I worked a pulmonary rehab floor in the hospital and the "frequent flyer's" would ask for the DNR papers to sign before we could do anything else for them-once on a respirator for them was enough.

Re: Do Not Resuscitate Order Posted in Kitchen

pitdakota — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 02:42:27 GMT

@mustang66lady, we used to joke about having it tatooed on our chests too! Have to say though I haven't seen anyone with that kind of tatoo. lol

However in the state of Ky, EMS will not recognize that. It has to be "their" form as mandated by state law. One reason it is important for everyone to know what their state law requires.