Do I have the right to refuse CPR?

[Blackcat99]

I do not have a terminal illness. However, I feel it is my right to refuse "CPR"

despite the fact that I do not have a terminal illness. Can a lawyer help me fill out the necessary paperwork? Thanks

[mshultz]

Blackcat99:

My Ohio Living Will states that if I am in a Terminal Condition and unable to make my own health care decisions, or in a Permanently Unconscious State, I direct that my physician shall:

1. Administer no life-sustaining treatment, including CPR and artificially or technologically supplied nutrition or hydration; and

2. Withdraw such treatment, including CPR, if such treatment has started; and

3. Issue a DNR Order; and

4. Permit me to die naturally and take no action to postpone my death, providing me with only that care necessary to make me comfortable and to relieve my pain.

I have sent copies of this document to my parents, my sister, my physician, my hospital, and filed it with the County Recorder. It does no good if they do not know your wishes.

You would also need to fill out a Health Care Power of Attorney in order to address the issues that you bring up. I am not a lawyer, but unless you and the person designated as your health care agent both have specific religious objections, such as refusing blood transfusions, it seems to me unlikely that your agent would actually refuse ICU care, a ventilator, an NG tube, and a colostomy for you if you are not terminal or permanently unconscious. The pressure upon the agent to consent to these treatments would be enormous, especially if the ventilator and colostomy are expected to be temporary.

I ended up in the ICU for 2.5 days last May, and had an NG tube for several hours (but no ventilator or colostomy). Not only did I make a full recovery, I actually thought the ICU was fairly peaceful, but then that's me.

[mshultz]

Blackcat99:

My Ohio Living Will states that if I am in a Terminal Condition and unable to make my own health care decisions, or in a Permanently Unconscious State, I direct that my physician shall:

1. Administer no life-sustaining treatment, including CPR and artificially or technologically supplied nutrition or hydration; and

2. Withdraw such treatment, including CPR, if such treatment has started; and

3. Issue a DNR Order; and

4. Permit me to die naturally and take no action to postpone my death, providing me with only that care necessary to make me comfortable and to relieve my pain.

I have sent copies of this document to my parents, my sister, my physician, my hospital, and filed it with the County Recorder. It does no good if they do not know your wishes.

You would also need to fill out a Health Care Power of Attorney in order to address the issues that you bring up. I am not a lawyer, but unless you and the person designated as your health care agent both have specific religious objections, such as refusing blood transfusions, it seems to me unlikely that your agent would actually refuse ICU care, a ventilator, an NG tube, and a colostomy for you if you are not terminal or permanently unconscious. The pressure upon the agent to consent to these treatments would be enormous, especially if the ventilator and colostomy are expected to be temporary.

I ended up in the ICU for 2.5 days last May, and had an NG tube for several hours (but no ventilator or colostomy). Not only did I make a full recovery, I actually thought the ICU was fairly peaceful, but then that's me.

[zenman]

I'm thinking about getting "DNR" with my signature under it tattoed on my chest. A respiratory therapist at work is thinking about getting "Do not press here" on his chest!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I've actually seen that tattooed on the chest of one male nurse I work with.........and he is utterly serious, even though he is a mere youth of thirty-some years of age. He's an ICU nurse who used to work in the ER of a large city hospital, so he's seen pretty much everything that can happen to human beings........and like me, doesn't want any part of an existence dependent on a ventilator or a feeding tube. :stone

[stressednurse]

I am gonna have DNR tattoed on my chest just to make it obvious.

[stressednurse]

To clarify the above post, too many years of seeing ICU, CCU, ER, telemetry, post op, med surg and now rehab and long term care to even want to be there. Please, it is my time to end life let me do this....dont do CPR.

[CougRN]

Yes you can.

[elkpark]

I mentioned the same thing (jokingly) in a conversation with an attorney in my state who specializes in healthcare issues -- having "DNR" tattooed across my chest :chuckle -- and she got v. serious and informed me that that would definitely not be sufficient (in my state) to keep me from getting coded. She then talked me through the specifics of the related law in my state.

If you are serious about this, you need to get advice and assistance from an attorney in your state who is knowledgeable about the relevant state law.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Its already tattooed on my chest

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Legalities aside, I still like the idea of a uvula tatooed "Do Not Intubate." (visualize that!)

[Blackcat99]

:chuckle Thanks for all your great messages. I was saddened to hear that having DNR tattooed on your chest would not be sufficient. I had planned to get a tattoo like that myself because I thought it would make clear my desires.

[lady_jezebel]

Why in the world would you refuse CPR? What if you're simply choking on a chicken bone? What if you were a near-drowning, and needed the water cleared from your lungs? What if your heart simply misfired, and you passed out? I don't get it.