"Do Not Resuscitate" at Home

The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is common in hospitals. It lets medical staff know that your don't want them to try to restart your heart and breathing if they stop, because you don't believe it will have any benefit for you. The DNR order can also be used in your home, and some states even have ready-made forms that you can use.

In the event that an emergency team is called to your home, the DNR form will let them know that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should not be started. Without that form properly filled out and signed they will have to perform CPR, even if your caregiver protests. So it's important that the form be available and ready to show to the emergency team. One suggestion that has worked for many people is to keep the form posted by the telephone or on the refrigerator. Those are good places for other important information as well.

I don't want an ambulance called