A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) is a Doctor’s Order not a Court Order. The Order is prepared by a person with their physician. A form developed by the Florida Department of Health is used for the Order and is prepared by people who do not wish to be resuscitated in the event of respiratory or cardiac arrest. A DNRO is a physician’s order to withhold or withdraw resuscitation if a patient goes into cardiac or
pulmonary arrest. It is part of the prescribed medical treatment plan and must have a physician’s signature. The DNRO has no expiration date.

SPECIAL NOTICE – Per Florida Administrative Code 64J-2.018 this form MUST be printed on YELLOW PAPER to be a legally recognized form. Once you have the form completed, make several copies on yellow paper, and keep them in a readily accessible place because when you provide a copy to an EMT or a healthcare organization the document may not be returned to you.

The bottom of Form 1896 may be completed by the patient and physician, removed from the form, and laminated so it can travel with the patient. It is equally as valid as the DNRO form.

The DNRO should be kept in a noticeable, easily accessible place such as the head or foot of a bed, or on
the refrigerator. It should be readily available in the event of an emergency to ensure that the patient’s wishes will be honored.

Without a DNRO, health care providers are bound by law to make efforts to resuscitate, and if they don’t make these efforts, they are subject to criminal prosecution and civil liability.

The DNRO can be revoked at any time either orally or in writing, by physical destruction, by failure to present it, or by orally expressing a contrary intent by the patient. Only those that signed the form (patient, power of attorney, surrogate, or healthcare proxy) may revoke the form, 64J-2.018, FAC.

Emergency services or 9-1-1 can be called for the patient whether there is a DNRO or not. Emergency medical services are part of the community and provide appropriate care as needed in many capacities. A DNRO only means that in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest CPR will not be initiated. Comfort care measures, such as oxygen administration and pain management, will still be used and transportation to the hospital may be needed. Give the DNRO order to the EMTs.

Diana Mangsen focuses her practice as an elder law attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at
https://www.mangsenlaw.com/
or call (727) 888-6282.