Do Not Resuscitate
A quick note about in hospital vs out of hospital DNR orders
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders can easily be invalid. Make sure it is an Out of Hospital DNR and not an In Hospital DNR if you are working EMS. Your state may vary, but in Texas the Texas seal needs to be on it, as well as valid signatures. Most DNR documentation I’ve encountered has been invalid due to missing signatures. At least half of the DNR orders I’ve double checked were invalid. It needs to have the patient’s medical problem, signature of the patient or their guardian, signature of at least one physician and check the expiration date.
If you have any doubts, contact online medical control and start lifesaving measures!
Reference:
Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, Tenth Edition- Section 1, Chapter 3 Published by Jones & Bartlett Learning www.jblearning.com. Copyright 2011 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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