Ensuring Your DNR Directive is Honored When Hit by a Car
Understanding the Do Not Resuscitate Directive (DNR)
The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) directive is a form of advance directive that instructs healthcare providers and emergency personnel not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the patient's heart or breathing stops. This directive is crucial for individuals who wish to maintain control over the end of their lives and ensure their preferences are respected. However, ensuring that this directive is honored can sometimes present challenges, particularly in emergency situations.
When DNR Directives Might Not Be Honored
There are instances where a DNR directive may not be honored, especially in emergency situations. For example, if a person is hit by a car and is unconscious, first responders may attempt resuscitation to save the life. This is because first responders are trained to prioritize immediate life-saving measures, and they might not have the time to verify if a DNR has been issued.
In some cases, the DNR directive might not be readily available or recognized during an emergency. This could happen if the form is not kept in a visible and accessible place, such as a wallet or vehicle, or if it is not in the correct format. Therefore, it is essential to take proactive steps to ensure your DNR directive is honored in a variety of situations.
Steps to Ensure Your DNR is Honored
1. Use a Yellow Paper DNR Form
Your DNR directive should be on a bright yellow paper, which is the standard color used by emergency personnel to identify patients who have a DNR. GameState-specific DNR forms should be used, and these forms must be notarized for legal validity. Keep a copy of this form in a plastic protector sleeve that is easily accessible in the car. This way, if you are involved in a car accident and need to be extracted, first responders can quickly and easily see your DNR directive.
2. Display the DNR on the Refrigerator
Post your DNR directive on the refrigerator in a conspicuous and visible location. This is particularly important if you live alone or if you have family members who might be the first to encounter an emergency situation. A bright yellow DNR form on the refrigerator ensures that emergency personnel are aware of your directive, even if they do not have access to your vehicle.
3. Wear a Medical Alert Necklace or Bracelet
Wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace can provide additional identification and information to first responders. If you are involved in an accident and are unconscious, a medical alert necklace or bracelet will inform the emergency personnel about your DNR directive, even if you are unable to communicate.
4. Keep Your DNR in Your Wallet and Consider a Tattoo
Carry a copy of your DNR directive in your wallet, alongside your medical alert bracelet. Adding the letters "DNR" over your heart can further emphasize the importance of your directive in case you are unable to communicate. This simple but effective measure can prompt first responders to check for your DNR directive more quickly.
What DNR Means in Emergencies
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) does not mean Do Not Treat. It is important to clarify that if you are involved in an accident and are unconscious, first responders will still perform necessary and life-saving treatments, even if a DNR is in place. They will take necessary actions to stabilize you and prevent further harm, but once you are no longer breathing on your own, they will not perform CPR or other resuscitative measures.
In the case of trauma, a valid DNR directive must be present and applicable. For instance, in Ohio, a DNR must be a state form completely filled out and signed or a valid State of Ohio DNR bracelet. Any other form or document will require treatment until it is determined otherwise. In states where the requirement is not as strict, first responders might still honor a DNR directive, but there might be variations in the interpretation and application of the directive.
Conclusion
Ensuring your DNR directive is honored in an emergency situation is a matter of life and death. By taking the necessary steps to make your DNR directive visible, accessible, and understood, you can help ensure that your wishes are respected, even if you are unable to communicate them yourself. Whether you are traveling or staying at home, taking these measures will provide peace of mind knowing that your preferences will be honored by emergency personnel.