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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can We Go For Resuscitation Despite Of DNR Order?

Looking to bring my 85yr old mom to traditional med ms for dx and poss tx. She has only seen a naturopath in the last 20 yrs she is very paranoid and has hallucinations. Takes multiple supplements for lupus Rx by naturopath. Not wandering as yet. At no awake and belligerent at times. She lives with my sister in an addition attached to the house all one level. Thinks the public comes in and steals her toilet paper so she hoards it in her closets and under the kitchen table. I am concerned because in the event of her death that she will be recusitated despite the fact that she does not want this she does not have a portable DNR order at her house. Any suggestions.? Thanks so much for your time.
Sat, 7 Jun 2014
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Anesthesiologist,  's  Response
Hello, I hope I can help you with your problem.
The rules surrounding your question may vary state by state, but the essential idea behind these laws is the same. That is, if a person has a DNR order, and a hospital is aware of it (they have the document), then the patient cannot be intubated. Now, that is not to say that it does not happen, and usually people will err on the side of caution by intubating everyone.

As such, you need to do all you can to make sure that you take care of this situation before it becomes a problem. Usually you can speak with a doctor about the appropriate steps to take. Usually this means that one of the other family members will need to be legally responsible for your mother if she is not able to make her own decisions.

The issue of medical competence is not something for a doctor to decide, but a court, and that is where your issue becomes tricky and it really depends on state law.

If she has drafted such a document in the past, you need to do all you can to get one. If not, you may need to talk to an attorney as well.

I hope this helps.
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Can We Go For Resuscitation Despite Of DNR Order?

Hello, I hope I can help you with your problem. The rules surrounding your question may vary state by state, but the essential idea behind these laws is the same. That is, if a person has a DNR order, and a hospital is aware of it (they have the document), then the patient cannot be intubated. Now, that is not to say that it does not happen, and usually people will err on the side of caution by intubating everyone. As such, you need to do all you can to make sure that you take care of this situation before it becomes a problem. Usually you can speak with a doctor about the appropriate steps to take. Usually this means that one of the other family members will need to be legally responsible for your mother if she is not able to make her own decisions. The issue of medical competence is not something for a doctor to decide, but a court, and that is where your issue becomes tricky and it really depends on state law. If she has drafted such a document in the past, you need to do all you can to get one. If not, you may need to talk to an attorney as well. I hope this helps.