At what point should medical staff enforce a do not resusitate order?

Question

Two weeks ago My mother passed away suddenly and very unexpectedly, She was in a nurseing home for some rehabilitation and was actually ready to move out on her own again when it happened. There is no explanation for her death and bacause shewas in a nursing home at the time of death they would not preform an autopsy to find out her Dr. just put down her past illness from 4 years ago as the cause of death. When I arrived at the home the staff told me a horrible story of how they all just simply stood around and watched her die! They said she had a do not resusitate in her file so they could do nothing for her. I was under the impression that meant DNR after they flat line they said she was still breathing and had a heart beat when they found her so they put her in her bed and held her hand until she took her last breath and slipped away. I need to know for my own peace of mind that they acted properly according to the law. Also is it legal to rope a depressed person into signing a DNR?

Answer 1

I went through this problem when a loved one was in the hospital. He was coherent enough to sign a DNR. But we also discussed it with him. His condition was bad and he wouldn't have made it through any stressful resuscitation anyway. DNR usually means no major resuscitation but to make the patient as comfortable as possible. But I do think you have the right to insist on an autopsy no matter what. So sorry for your loss.

Answer 2

People are not roped into making their DNR status known, by law a facility must know if the patient has a living will or advance directive. If they don't they are offered assistance in filling one out. They can fill it out to reflect their wish to have nothing done, to have A and B, but not C done, or to have everything done.
Making someone a DNR is not taken lightly. People would be surprised to find out how many elderly have never had this discussion with their family because they didn't think their family would understand or would try to talk them out of it.
I was not there, I do not know what your mother's directive said, so I can't answer whether what they did was right or not. DNR status can mean everything from treat up and until the heart stops, but no heroic measures beyond that point to no interference in the dying process other than comfort measures.
As for the autopsy, a family member can insist on an autopsy any time, in any situation. Because she was under a direct physicians care with known health problems for greater than 24 hours one would not been mandated by law in most states, nor would the coroner need to be contacted.
Many elderly have a much better grasp on the concept of quality of life versus quantity of life. It is extremely hard as the family to accept that they choose no aggressive measures to prolong a life that is inflicted with pain and illness.

Answer 3

I have a DNR on file. When my time comes, I mean just that.I don't want anything artificial keeping me alive. Now in case of a heart attack etc., I expect to be revived if possible, but if I am on my way out, say with cancer, make me comfortable, plenty of drugs and let me go.

If your Mom signed a DNR order of her own free will, then they did exactly what she wanted done.

By the way you are entitled to a copy of all her records from the nursing home, not just being told what happened, including the charge nurse's daily reports.

Answer 4

Depressed or not I would think that as long as this person is still her own guardian then she can make her own choices. I couldn't tell you for sure about the depressed state but I don't think it would matter. It's something that would have to be proved. I look at it this way; some things were meant to be. Your mother could have ended up a vegetable living on machines. She's in a better place. God bless her and you too.

Answer 5

This seems to represent a serious breach of ethics, in most countries.

She could not have been forced to sign a DNR order because of many legal implications. You would have had an inalienable right to know of the arrangement and it would necessarily have to have a judicial signature.

Even without that you, as next of kin, would have had the right to over-ride the order.

You should have been notified immediately if your mother's condition had worsened and had the right to be present

Answer 6

The docs truthfully do no longer care approximately your courtroom orders. they simply prefer to be paid. Pay the bill and you circulate after her for the money. in case you do no longer, that is going to in basic terms harm your credit. save each and each of the information in touch and take her lower back to courtroom to get your money. stable success :)