Widow's tattoo states dying wish

Originally posted by -jt
Well, it can be humorous to hear these stories but I think its so ridiculous that the public actually thinks a tatoo is a valid DNR consent. A DNR tatoo will not prevent her from being resuscitated. An RN in my community had DNR tatooed across his chest for many years. When he was a victim in car accident a few years ago, even though the tatoo was clear, he was still resuscitated. A DNR tatoo cant be considered an advance directive. Its just another tatoo. The healthcare professionals couldnt just say oh look at his tatoo - hes a DNR, and then stand back & do nothing. They would have been legally liable for neglience if they had with-held CPR just because of some initials on his skin. So, legally, they had to resuscitate him everytime he coded - until the family made the decision in writing (on a paper consent form). And the whole story was in our local newspaper for days. If these people feel so strongly about not being resuscitated that they took the time, expense, and pain of getting a tatoo, they should also take the time to discuss their wishes with their families and MDs, and put it all in writing in a legally binding paper document, so it can be upheld without question. Besides, the paper advance directives forms are free and they dont hurt. All this RN had was his tatoo and that didnt count, so his wishes could not be carried out until his family finally gave written permission. So sad.