Re: DNR in the Field

[Rick Cosmar <crescue@coshocton.com>]

Paul,

With regards to oral revocation of the DNR. This can only come from the
patient or POA. It has happened too me.  This returns the arrest
sequence to prior DNR and is worked. The time / or 2 rounds still apply.

As for education of the family as well as patient your right on the
money.  But emotions run high when someone dies.  It usually explodes
into an emotional outrage and they expect us to do something other than
follow the wishes of the person who wishes no to be resuscitated.

It's pretty clear for the most part in Ohio.  If it's signed or the
appearance of a proper signature is present we are required by law to
with hold any and all resuscitation.  We do have 1 kink which is call
the DNRCC.( Comfort Care) This required us to provide basic measures
i.e. suctioning, pain control and the like. Then if the Pt. arrest we
stop all measures.

The other kink is if there is any suspicion of a fraudulent document
then we too can error to the side of working the arrest. This is pretty
much my call. If I feel and can support what I feel to be a falsified
document then we work it until proven otherwise.

Rick Cosmar Lt. EMT-P
City of Columbus
Division of Fire


_______________________________________________
Flightmed mailing list