Do Not Resuscitate Orders, ID Bracelets & Experiences

Posted by joko @joko, Mar 27, 2023

Do you have a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate Order) with your primary care physician? Do you wear a medical ID bracelets/necklace with DNR instructions? What experiences have you (or if you are a caregiver) had with Medical IDs, specifically with the DNR orders? Is there anything critically important that you should consider before you put this on your id and what has happened to people who wear it. (I mean do the EMTs follow instructions?) Appreciate insights.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 7 12:26pm

In reply to @lilly71 "I have DNR on my medical records, I never was given a card or anything to..." + (show)

@lily71 I wear a medical alert bracelet almost all the time. One the back of it includes the DNR, plus the POLST copy in my car.

For me, it's very important that my medical team and anyone else who is in contact with me, understands my wishes. It might seem macabre to some, but not to me.
Ginger

lilly71 | @lilly71 | Mar 9 5:21am

In reply to @gingerw "@lily71 I wear a medical alert bracelet almost all the time. One the back of it..." + (show)

I will definitely get me a bracelet
Thank you
God bless 🙏

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Mar 9 2:03pm

In reply to @casey1329 "Thank you elimseoj. You made a lot of good points which I wasn't aware of. The..." + (show)

I had a DNR and when I had lung surgery they resuscitated me and put me on a ventilator. Later on I told the doctor that I told her I didn't want to be resuscitated or put on a ventilator. He told my sister who was my executor that he Considered a murder to not save my life. Now I'm not sure what to say but they don't always follow your wishes. I was not happy at the time but now I'm I'm OK but it's sometimes I still go through so many exacerbations and that I wish they had just let me go.

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Mar 9 9:09pm

Thanks for the hug. Im okay.

danny67 | @danny5 | Mar 10 1:09am

In reply to @kllevinson "I had a DNR and when I had lung surgery they resuscitated me and put me..." + (show)

@kllevinson, i'm sorry you had to go through that. that doctor HAD NO RIGHT to force his beliefs on you like that. where you had no choice in the matter. he waited until you were under anesthesia to make his personal choice. by going against your legal choice. did you file a complaint with the hospital board? or the AMA? how long ago did this happen? God Bless you. Daniel

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Mar 10 9:20am

In reply to @danny5 "@kllevinson, i'm sorry you had to go through that. that doctor HAD NO RIGHT to force..." + (show)

over 10 years ago. I didnt pursue it.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 10 9:28am

In reply to @kllevinson "I had a DNR and when I had lung surgery they resuscitated me and put me..." + (show)

@kllevinson Just thought I’d let everyone know that a DNR order does not stand during surgery. Odd, but true. Patients who have a DNR often get the surgery to have a better quality of life.
Has your life improved at all since surgery?

kllevinson | @kllevinson | Mar 10 10:39am

In reply to @becsbuddy "@kllevinson Just thought I’d let everyone know that a DNR order does not stand during surgery...." + (show)

yes it has improved. Earlier on I went to Pulmonary Rehab rehabilitation and that helped a lot. But I do have a Transportation problem now and I've had problems with osteoporosis so I haven't been able to continue rehab. Overall I feel blessed and I'm glad to have some family and friends who care about me.

Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Mar 10 1:45pm

In reply to @becsbuddy "@kllevinson Just thought I’d let everyone know that a DNR order does not stand during surgery...." + (show)

This was my experience. Thanks for mentioning this. When I had a lumpectomy the surgeon told me my DNR would not apply during the surgery. I was surprised, but I understood that if the patient can be saved the doctors don't want to have killed the patient due to numerous things that can go awry and that can be possibly fixed. I have mixed feelings about this, but was willing to accept it.

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Mar 11 2:05am

In reply to @kllevinson "I had a DNR and when I had lung surgery they resuscitated me and put me..." + (show)

@kllevinson I wonder what the legality of that overriding individual doctor intervention is. It raises the question whether the particular doctor was acting on his own beliefs outside the law, or acting within the law.

My attorney under enduring POA and my Guardian perhaps will need to be careful to choose a doctor who respects DNRs.

It’s extremely disappointing. I am living with incurable stage 4 appendix cancer.

I’ve chosen my POA and Guardian carefully to fight for my rights, but I hadn’t factored in doctors who veer towards saving life in the face of a DNR 🤔