DNR Order

Scenario: I'm transporting a patient who has a valid dnr and the pt's wife (or significant other) is riding along in the back. The patient goes into cardiac arrest, and the wife tells me she wants him to be resuscitated and becomes frantic. What do?

yeah, it sucks the way legislation works. if i want dead, i want dead!
 
San Joaquin County EMS policy 5105

"If a patient with a valid DNR order is unconscious and family members request resuscitative measures, prehospital emergency medical care personnel are to honor the DNR order. If necessary to preserve scene safety, prehospital emergency medical care personnel may initiate basic life support resuscitation while contacting the Base Hospital for assistance and direction."

I strongly believe in honoring the patients last wish by following out the DNR , granted that it is present, regardless of what the family onscene wishes are. If they become verbally combative, announcing over the radio that, "Law Enforcement is needed to our scene" generally calms them down.
 
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