A do-not-resuscitate order is discussed with the patients or their authorized surrogate and signed by the patients’ doctor. It is also known for the terms Comfort Care order, No CPR order, or out-of-hospital DNR order if the patients spend hospice outside hospitals. This order basically means that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should not be attempted by the medical staff, including other resuscitative measures such as electric shocks or artificial respirations.
The purpose of this order is to prevent unnecessary and unwanted invasive treatments and nursing services when the patients are at their end of life. Nonetheless, the rate of CPR success is extremely low with terminal patients. Doctors must always discuss with the patients or their authorized surrogates to make decisions whether they should be receiving CPR or not in light of the patients’ immediate medical condition.
To make it clear, DNR doesn’t mean “do not treat”, so other treatments such as transfusions, antibiotic therapy, use of ventilator, dialysis, and others that may prolong life are welcomed. Palliative care in Texas is even more encouraged to continually keep the patients comfortable and free from pain as much as possible.
Contact Sovereign Hospice today for more information about this, as well as to learn how your loved ones can start receiving hospice services in Aubrey, Texas.