Widow's tattoo states dying wish

memphispanda, RN · Mar 6, 2003

I saw that yesterday! I had actually been discussing getting a DNR tattoo of some sort when we have the money for it.

NurseShell · Mar 6, 2003

Finally! A legitmate use for tattoos!! he he he

(I've been trying to convince hubby that I "need" one for years )

Mkue · Mar 6, 2003

I just heard that on the radio !

cactus wren · Mar 6, 2003

Good for her, I have wanted one for years...kinda scared of needles, tho............. :eek:

A friend has a good idea...they need to invent a dye that will only show up when the o2 sats get to like 70`s...and then the DNR tat will show up...on your forehead...

Heather333 · Mar 6, 2003

Originally posted by cactus wren
Good for her, I have wanted one for years...kinda scared of needles, tho.............

A friend has a good idea...they need to invent a dye that will only show up when the o2 sats get to like 70`s...and then the DNR tat will show up...on your forehead...

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Heather

JedsMom, ASN, RN · Mar 6, 2003

I've been threatening to do the same thing for many years;)

emily_mom · Mar 6, 2003

That had to hurt...yowsie...

But...good idea!

OBNURSEHEATHER · Mar 6, 2003

Originally posted by nurseshell
(I've been trying to convince hubby that I "need" one for years )

But you do need one.

Have you convinced him yet?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2003

I wonder if that's a legal document? LOL

I've thought of doing the same thing. If I dropped dead, no matter what my age, leave me dead please.

-jt · Mar 6, 2003

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.

valk · Mar 6, 2003

That reminds me of a former patient.

He was a quadriplegic @ 40 years old. I was talking to him about advance directives & he asked me to help him take his shirt off. I asked him why & he just said you'll understand in a minute.

Right there on his chest were the initials DNR in letters @3 inches high.

He said that he wished he had never been resuscitated after the accident that left him paralyzed & figured if it was written right there on his chest he wouldn't be brought back again.

I documented it in his chart & he had his mother fill out the advance directive.