Coworkers Respecting Each Others' Advance Directives and Code Statuses

[SilverBells]

Note: This might seem like a strange topic, but seeing as how that is nothing new coming from the source, I'll go ahead anyway.  

As nurses, we are trained to do everything we can to save someone until it's no longer feasible or unless doing so would go against a patient's wishes, such as performing CPR for a patient with a a DNR/DNI.  

However, theoretically, anyone of us could "code" at anytime--and this includes at work. 

For those who are full codes, this wouldn't create any ethical issues.  You would simply perform CPR on your coworker as you would anyone else.  

However, for those who have DNR/DNIs, issues could come up if coworkers are unaware such orders exist.  How do we ensure that these coworkers have their wishes respected should the need come up? 

For example, I am legally a Full Code but am wanting to pursue a DNR/DNI.   Based on my age and no apparent health issues, I have a feeling most of my coworkers would automatically assume I am a Full Code should circumstances arise, however.  

What is the best way to inform my coworkers that under no circumstances should anyone provide CPR to me? 

For the rest of you, how do you ensure your coworkers' wishes for CPR or no CPR are ensured? Have you ever experienced such an ethical dilemma at work? 

[JKL33]

20 minutes ago, Curious1997 said:

Why don't you consider this real?

Because. You can PM me if you want to discuss it.

 

20 minutes ago, Curious1997 said:

Also, respect is due to everyone regardless of their posts. 

I am not disrespecting anyone. I find the situation concerning for one of two reasons, I'm not sure which one yet. I joked around a bit on a different thread and I regret that.

 

21 minutes ago, Curious1997 said:

* What psychiatric behaviors are you talking about specifically? 

The description of the posting style is back a few pages in this thread.

[macawake, MSN]

1 hour ago, Curious1997 said:

Davey is pulling your legs.

Well, of course. That applies in both scenarios, whether he is Ms Bells or whether he simply pretended to be Ms Bells. 
 

1 hour ago, Curious1997 said:

The posting styles are too different. 

This comment isn’t about Davey or OP, but writing styles in general. I think you’d be surprised if you knew how much a person (a reasonably intelligent person) can actually alter their writing styles. Sometimes so much that it will take a linguistics expert a decent amount of time to analyze it. (Though of course consistently separating the two styles is much harder to do when rushed for time).

Part of my old job was to analyze emails, letters, voice messages, recorded conversations etc. attempting to glean certain information. I can’t really get into much more detail than that but what I can say, is that it and the human minds behind all of it was and is quite fascinating ? 
 

1 hour ago, Curious1997 said:

* Why don't you consider this real?

I have a feeling that we’re about to embark on a philosophical journey on the meaning of the word ”real”, but I’ll take that risk. I have to admit that I’m surprised that you consider any of this real. 

 

[guest1163268]

10 minutes ago, macawake said:

Well, of course. That applies in both scenarios, whether he is Ms Bells or whether he simply pretended to be Ms Bells. 
 

This comment isn’t about Davey or OP, but writing styles in general. I think you’d be surprised if you knew how much a person (a reasonably intelligent person) can actually alter their writing styles. Sometimes so much that it will take a linguistics expert a decent amount of time to analyze it. (Of course it’s harder to do though when rushed for time).

 

I have a feeling that we’re about to embark on a philosophical journey on the meaning of the word ”real”, but I have to admit that I’m surprised that you consider any of this real. 

 

I don't! But it's entertaining and would allow me to understand even more how posters arrive at their conclusions. 

Davey is too reactive to be remotely like SilverBells. His humor doesn't correspond to her posts. He's also analytical and considerate, SilverBells is needy, whether deliberately or not. I enjoy her posts very much from a psych perspective. She's highly entertaining. 

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

On 4/3/2021 at 5:32 PM, SilverBells said:

For the rest of you, how do you ensure your coworkers' wishes for CPR or no CPR are ensured? Have you ever experienced such an ethical dilemma at work

OK, I’ll bite.
Best way is to do what an anesthesiologist did at one of our local shops. She had “Do Not Resuscitate” and her signature tattooed on her chest. She was brought in and arrested and when they saw that, they stopped. They went to apologize to her husband but he stopped them and said he was so grateful because he was always afraid people would ignore that. 

So if that isn’t qs to stop this particular popcorn-provocation, I’d say be sure to die somewhere away from competent healthcare. 

[vintagegal, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Unless silver bells and Davey be one in the same? 

[guest1163268]

6 minutes ago, vintagegal said:

Unless silver bells and Davey be one in the same? 

That sounds like possession to me ????, one in the same ??? 

Or are you channeling your inner pirate? Arrr Arr me hearty ???. 

Demonic possession, the devil made me do it ?????

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

On 4/4/2021 at 9:15 AM, Davey Do said:

SilverBells is also a sacramental lamb in that she doesn't generically refer to an individual or situation, but is specific that she is the individual and this is the situation. She presents a specific controversial subject in which she is the main character. 

So you mean she’s like Mike Doonesbury’s ditzy, ludicrously unsuccessful, self-styled “performance artist” ex-wife? THE most tiresome character in all the funnies and the object of scorn from everyone who inevitably figures out her shtick? Yeah, that works. 

[klone, MSN, RN]

2 hours ago, Hannahbanana said:

OK, I’ll bite.
Best way is to do what an anesthesiologist did at one of our local shops. She had “Do Not Resuscitate” and her signature tattooed on her chest. She was brought in and arrested and when they saw that, they stopped. They went to apologize to her husband but he stopped them and said he was so grateful because he was always afraid people would ignore that. 

So if that isn’t qs to stop this particular popcorn-provocation, I’d say be sure to die somewhere away from competent healthcare. 

That’s still not legally valid. Has to have a date, and be renewed periodically (annually)?

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

If you want to be a no-code, that's your decision and I have no problem with it.  What I do have a problem with is the position you are trying to put your colleagues in.  They are not your nurses, they do not have your signed DNR and again even if they did, they have no way to know that it is the most current.   What you TELL them doesn't matter, it legally doesn't add up to a hill of beans.  If you code, they will start BLS and call 911.  They would have to be stupid if they didn't, as they would be leaving themselves open to alot of professional and legal difficulties.  That's the bottom line. 

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

If you want to be a no-code, that's your decision and I have no problem with it.  What I do have a problem with is the position you are trying to put your colleagues in.  They are not your nurses, they do not have your signed DNR and again even if they did, they have no way to know that it is the most current.   What you TELL them doesn't matter, it legally doesn't add up to a hill of beans.  If you code, they will start BLS and call 911.  They would have to be stupid if they didn't, as they would be leaving themselves open to alot of professional and legal difficulties.  That's the bottom line. 

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

Even if someone had a DNR tattoo, how could you defend yourself for NOT doing CPR if it ended up in court or before the Board? You don't know the person, maybe the tattoo is 20 years old and they had changed their mind but couldn't afford to remove it.  Maybe they aren't competent, maybe it was a drunk joke, maybe it meant Da** No Regrets.  Unless you are their nurse and have the DNR order, you better start BLS and call 911.  

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

I have a coworker with paroxysmal SVT. She was sitting at her desk the other day and then we heard her mumble: “... if I pass out, call 911.”  As it turned out, she did not pass out, her heart rhythm normalized, and 911 was not called. That’s the only discussion of end-of-life wishes I ever recall having with coworkers.