Dnr........

maxmycardagain

Is there such a thing as a "Do Not Resucitate" bangle/badge/whatever for emergency crews/doctors to be advised the person wishes for no medical intervention?

i refer to being not in a hospital as i know the staff can be made aware in such cases

lets call it the opposite of a medical aid bracelet

TOBRUK

All you need to do is type DNR BRACELET into search and you will get many results e.g.

http://www.universalmedicalid.com/mkt_uk/category.php?sel_pullid=9

http://www.respectourwishes.com/?page=dnarwristband

maxmycardagain

ok thanks

might just get myself one engraved on a shop-bought bracelet


cheers

MrsManda

maxmycardagain wrote: »

ok thanks
might just get myself one engraved on a shop-bought bracelet
cheers

Make sure it looks obvious as a medical alert bracelet rather than a standard piece of jewellery - in the case of emergency paramedics will have a quick look for a medical alert band but they're unlikely to check every piece of jewellery just in case.

formaldehyde_perfume

skcollobcat10 wrote: »

There was one lady on the tv a few years ago and she got a DNR tattoo on her chest, then there is no room for error.

Brilliant idea! :T

dmg24

You should be aware that a bracelet does not constitute a valid DNR direction.

SueP1944

dmg24 wrote: »

You should be aware that a bracelet does not constitute a valid DNR direction.

....maybe because it could belong to someone else! There could be no argument with a tatoo in bold black 3" high lettering across the chest and tummy though!

dmg24

SueP1944 wrote: »

....maybe because it could belong to someone else! There could be no argument with a tatoo in bold black 3" high lettering across the chest and tummy though!

Yes, there can. A DNR order can only be made by someone with capacity. In an emergency situation, there is no way of establishing that someone had capacity at the time the tattoo was done.

maxmycardagain

maybe tattoo "NO" on the places where they put the paddles to shock a patient............

GlasweJen

You should see a lawyer and get a living will made up. I have a DNAR (do not artificially resuscitate) directive in my living will which also dictates which machines I'm happy for them to hook me up to, for which purposes and for how long. (example I don't want to be ventilated to extend my life but I do want to be ventilated post operatively for a therapeutic amount of time, when it goes from helping me recover to taking over my lung function to preserve my life then the machine is off).

I had to be really careful with how it was worded to make sure that my wishes are carried out, it's not something that DNR on a bracelet can cover.

MrsManda

In general it's a paramedic's job to stabilise the patient long enough to get that person to an emergency department where they are assessed as to what is required to treat the patient. Therefore as previous posters have said, I'm not sure a paramedic would take in to consideration a DNR bracelet/tattoo, though they do look for medical alert bracelets in case of allergy and certain medical conditions.

It is the staff at the hospital who decide what's best for the patient and this I believe takes into consideration DNR requests. Ofcourse if you end up in a hospital away from home they may not have a record of this request - this is yet another reason for the computerised patient records which keep getting shot down by hysterical people declaring it'd lead to 'anyone' being able to access their records in any circumstances.

DNRs as GlasJen said need to be very carefully thought about and it is important to do it properly so that people are aware of precisely what you want and also that you made the decision whilst mentally capable - it's also a good idea to regularly review the DNR: 1 to make sure it still reflects your wishes and 2. to make it more difficult for your next of kin to pressurise the medical professional to overide your wishes/sue the medical professional for not doing everything in their power to keep you alive on the basis you may have changed your mind but not got around to changing things.
Also making sure your family, friends and GP knows your wishes is important.