BETTEN, MURPHY & WEISS
Attorneys, PA

A Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) is a form (#1896) developed by the Florida Department of Health to identify people who do not wish to be resuscitated in the event of respiratory or cardiac arrest.

How will the properly completed DNRO form look?

Why should an individual complete a DNRO if he or she already has a living will?

Where should I keep the DNRO?

What is a patient identification device?

Should 9-1-1 still be called if the patient has a DNRO?

How can I revoke a DRNO?

How will the properly completed DNRO form look?

The properly completed form will be signed by the competent patient, or the patient’s representative, signed by a Florida licensed physician, and it will be on either the original canary yellow form or copied onto similar colored paper.

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Why should an individual complete a DNRO if he or she already has a Living Will?

A living will is a document that instructs, as specifically as possible, what care and treatment the person wishes under certain circumstances. Any competent person can fill out a living will at any time. A DNRO is a physician’s order NOT to resuscitate 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. It is usually written for patients who are terminally ill, suffering from an end-stage condition or who are in a persistent vegetative state.

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Where should I keep the DNRO?

The DNRO form should be kept in a noticeable 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 last wishes will be honored.

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What is a patient identification device?

Attached to the bottom of the Department of Health’s Form 1896 is a patient identification device, which may be removed from the form, laminated and can be worn on a chain around the neck, clipped to a key chain or to clothing/ bed, etc. so it can travel with the patient. It is equally as valid as the DNRO form and can be presented to emergency medical services when they arrive on scene and is designed to allow the patient to move between settings with one document.

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Should 9-1-1 still be called if the patient has a DNRO?

9-1-1 can be called at any time to provide family/caregivers with back up and support for the patient. Many family members call 9-1-1 to control pain and to make sure the patient is comfortable. Others may want the patient to be transported to the hospital so the attending physician will be present. Emergency medical services are part of the community and are able to provide appropriate care as needed in many capacities. A DNRO only means that in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest that CPR will not be initiated. Comfort care measures, such as oxygen administration, hemorrhage control and pain management, will still be used.

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How can I revoke a DNRO?

If you complete a DNRO and later change your mind, you may revoke it at any time by any of the following methods:
A signed and dated written instrument;
Physical cancellation or destruction of all original documents.

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