The do not resuscitate (DNR) consent form is a standalone document that authorizes health care providers to restrict the use of CPR. In Oklahoma, there is a statutory form for this, so only limited changes can be made to the document. It is a formal request for limited health care if your heart stops beating or if you stop breathing. No medical procedure to restore breathing or heart function will be instituted by any health care provider including, but not limited to, emergency services (EMS) personnel. In my opinion, the DNR should be considered only in special circumstances.
My father suffered from congestive heart failure for 11 years, and during the last year or two of his life, he was functioning with less than 10 percent of his heart. The doctors could not explain how or even why he was alive. During the last month of his life, he was functioning with less than 5 percent of his heart and he had a DNR order. This meant that when his heart stopped, his doctors were not going to resuscitate him.
Under these circumstances, the DNR was absolutely the right thing to do. The problem is that it is not always this straightforward. Consider, for example, a 40-year-old person who would have the potential to enjoy many years’ worth of quality life assuming a successful resuscitation. It is my opinion that a DNR order in such a case would not be appropriate.
Not long ago, I helped a client who was in his mid-80s draft a DNR order. He had lived with a heart condition and wanted the order drafted prior to undergoing heart surgery. He had to consider whether he would want to be resuscitated if he suffered a heart attack during surgery. Ultimately, the decision to have a DNR order must be made by the individual.
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