I am an EMT training as a Physicians Assitant bound for an ER one day, and I was thinking about this today. We are bound to go by a legal DNR, but we are not allowed to "assist with a suicide". The DNR is sometimes pretty straightforward about what we can and cannot do. I just thought I would throw this out and see where it ended up. I am in Florida by the way, in case I get some legal answer from Conneticut of Indiana. Thanks
2006-09-26 08:38:39 · 10 answers · asked by Sacrac 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Unfortunately a DNR is a DNR. You must honor their decision to not have life saving interventions irregardless of cause.
2006-09-26 08:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by a_911girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First remember that you must have a copy of a valid DNR in hand to honor it. Second a doctor must sign that DNR and they usually reserve that for those patients that life saving methods will not enhance their lives any. To sum that up it is unlikely that a suicide patient would hand you a DNR to use or that they would even have one in the first place. However, should someone commit suicide and have that document pinned to the chest you would be obligated to honor that. I find this whole scenario very very unlikely.
Paramdic for a long time.
To clarify for some of the above answers. A DNR is only vaid for one year from the date of signing. If it is older than one year or all of the signatures are not present it is not valid and will not be used. Second of all a DNR form must be handed over to medical personnel, virbally advising of a DNR will not and cannot be honored.
2006-09-26 08:44:36 · answer #2 · answered by Tulip 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
From an ethical standpoint (rather than a legal one), I would take the point that you are not "assisting" with suicide. The act was committed by the person.
DNR only applies to patients who are technically dead and have no chance of survival without recuscitation. DNR is not "do not treat". Therefore, I am assuming that in your scenario, the patient has no pulse and is technically dead. In that case, you would have to respect their wishes not to be revived. You are not responsible and did not assist because the act was done upon themselves.
In the case of a patient who was not dead, but needed immediate treatment (example narcan to reverse an opiate overdose), this would not be in contradiction to their DNR wishes (again, DNR does not imply do not treat for reversible conditions) so treatment would be appropriate.
I can not comment on the legal side of things although I suspect that it would be similar. Interesting question....
2006-09-26 08:55:14 · answer #3 · answered by goyang333 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My understanding is (depsite what you see on medical dramas) a DNR prevents the use of life saving devices after the chance of regaining a full state of awareness passes (or becomes so slim that it probably would not). Thus CPR would not qualify for a DNR, since you would be saving a life that would be self sufficent, and not prolonging a life that can only be extended by artificial means.
If, you come into the guys apartment and he has a DNR taped to his chest, and you actually spend the time to read it before you start trying to save his life, I would contest that you are not doing your job.
2006-09-26 08:49:55 · answer #4 · answered by cirestan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, Not allowed to assist.
If they need CPR after a suicide attempt you are legally bound not to give them the CPR under the DNR order.
If they attempt suicide in your presence, you are legally bound to make an attempt to stop them from killing themselves. DNR or Not.
The DNR only takes effect if the patient is in the process of dying or is already dead.
2006-09-26 08:48:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you know that that person has one that you should not. It states in it that no CPR or resuscitation can be done on a person.
Personally though I think it is shouldn't be honored if someone has tried to kill themselves.
You may be sued if you were knowingly aware of the DNR and did it anyway by the patient.
2006-09-26 08:49:37 · answer #6 · answered by rltouhe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say you have to honor the DNR.
You aren't "assisting" the suicide.
However, I've heard of and know of situations where the doctors didn't honor the DNR, even after being informed of it several times.
2006-09-26 08:43:09 · answer #7 · answered by timc_fla 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some states the DNR becomes null and void when it is a suicide attempt. I would check with the health department in your state to find out what their regulations are.
2006-09-27 02:16:29 · answer #8 · answered by Diana H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The DNR is a legal document and must be honored regardless of the cause of cardiac arrest. I do not even see a question here.
2006-09-26 08:42:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ask your training officer.
2006-09-26 08:41:37 · answer #10 · answered by jessieroocatsopolous 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋