Legal and planning
Do not resuscitate order (DNR)
A do not resuscitate (DNR) order is a medical order that tells health care professionals not to perform CPR if a person's heart or breathing stops. A doctor writes it, usually after talking with the patient or their representative. Rules and forms vary by state.
Why it matters for your family
A DNR covers one decision: CPR. It does not mean stop all care. A person with a DNR can still get medicine, comfort care and other treatment. Families often assume a living will is enough. In an emergency at home, paramedics may need a specific order or state form. Maryland's MOLST page, for example, says medics must attempt resuscitation if the form lacks a DNR order. Ask the doctor which document your state uses, and keep it where responders can find it. Tell home caregivers where it is. HomeCare.com caregivers are non-medical and do not make this decision. This is general information, not legal advice.
Source: marylandmolst.org
Read more: Home care questions and answers
Related terms
- Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)POLST is a portable medical order for seriously ill people.
- Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)MOLST is a medical order form used in some states, such as New York and Maryland.
- Advance directiveAn advance directive is a legal document that states your health care wishes in case you cannot decide for yourself.
- Living willA living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment.
- Advance care planningAdvance care planning is the process of thinking about and sharing your wishes for future medical care.
- Healthcare proxyA healthcare proxy is a person you name to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself.
