Official Do Not Resuscitate Order Template for Oregon

Oregon Do Not Resuscitate Order: Usage Guide

The Oregon Do Not Resuscitate Order form is an essential document for those who wish to have their desires known regarding the use of resuscitation efforts in emergency situations. This document enables individuals to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care, ensuring their wishes are respected. Whether for yourself or someone you are legally authorized to represent, understanding how to accurately complete this form is crucial. The following steps outline the process to fill out the Oregon Do Not Resuscitate Order form, facilitating a straightforward approach to indicate one's preferences clearly and effectively.

1. Start by entering the patient's full name at the top of the form. Include any suffixes or prefixes that are part of the legal name to ensure clarity.
2. Fill in the date of birth of the person for whom the Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order is being prepared. Accuracy is important to prevent any potential confusion during emergency situations.
3. Indicate the patient’s sex by selecting the appropriate option. This information helps in identifying the patient quickly in medical records.
4. Proceed to specify the primary diagnosis or medical condition that prompts the issuance of the DNR Order. This should be a concise description.
5. Next, provide the name and contact information of the patient’s primary physician. This includes the physician's full name, phone number, and address. Having this information readily available ensures that medical personnel can consult with the patient’s doctor if needed.
6. If the form is being filled out on behalf of the patient by a legally authorized representative, their information must also be included. Write down the representative's full name, relationship to the patient, and a valid contact number.
7. The patient or their authorized representative must sign and date the form. This signature is a declaration of their understanding and agreement to the DNR Order as stated on the form.
8. Finally, the attending physician must also sign and date the form. The physician’s signature confirms their assessment of the patient’s condition and concurrence with the DNR Order's issuance.

Once completed, the Oregon Do Not Resuscitate Order form becomes a legally binding document that medical personnel are required to follow in the event of an emergency. It’s advisable to keep the original document in an easily accessible location and consider providing copies to family members or healthcare providers who might be involved in the patient's care. Taking these steps ensures that the patient's wishes are communicated clearly, respected, and implemented when most needed.

What is an Oregon Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR)?

An Oregon Do Not Resuscitate Order, often referred to as a DNR, is a legal document that tells health care providers not to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if a person's breathing stops or if their heart stops beating. This document is created in accordance with Oregon law and is used to ensure that a person's wishes regarding life-saving treatment are respected in emergency situations.

Who can request a DNR in Oregon?

In Oregon, the following individuals can request a DNR:

• Adult individuals for themselves, if they are of sound mind and can make their own health care decisions.
• Legal guardians or health care representatives, for those who are not able to make their own decisions due to health conditions.
• Parents or legal guardians, in the case of minors, if deemed appropriate under specific circumstances.

How can someone obtain a DNR order in Oregon?

To obtain a DNR order in Oregon, the individual or their legal representative needs to:

1. Discuss their wishes with a healthcare provider, to ensure a DNR is in line with their health care goals and conditions.
2. Have the DNR order filled out and signed by a licensed Oregon physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. This is crucial as only a DNR signed by a medical professional is considered valid.
3. Ensure copies of the DNR are readily available, especially in places where emergency responders are likely to look, such as in the patient's home or on their person.

Is a DNR order permanent?

No, a DNR order is not permanent. Individuals have the right to change their minds at any time. To invalidate a DNR, the individual or their representative must inform their healthcare provider about their decision. The healthcare provider will then make the necessary changes to their medical file. Additionally, physically destroying the DNR document, like tearing it up, can also serve as a way to invalidate it, but it is always best to communicate this decision clearly to all involved in the person's care. Remember, clear communication with your healthcare providers and loved ones about your wishes is key.

Filling out the Oregon Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form requires attention to detail and a clear understanding of the document's implications. Regrettably, the process can be daunting, leading to common mistakes that could affect the validity of the form or interfere with a person's end-of-life wishes. Below are eight typical errors individuals make when completing their Oregon DNR Order form:

1. Not confirming the patient's eligibility: Eligibility criteria are stringent, and not all individuals may qualify for a DNR order. Ensuring that the patient meets the conditions defined by Oregon law is crucial before proceeding with the form.

2. Failure to have the form signed by a physician: A legally binding DNR order in Oregon requires a physician's signature. Without it, the document may not be considered valid in a medical emergency.

3. Incomplete patient information: Each section of the form asking for patient details must be filled out completely. Missing information can lead to confusion or delays in emergency care.

4. Misunderstanding the scope of the DNR: Some individuals might believe that a DNR order limits all forms of medical treatment. It's critical to understand that it specifically instructs healthcare professionals not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

5. Omitting date and time: The form requires the date and time when the DNR order was issued. This information is crucial for healthcare providers and should be accurately recorded.

6. Not discussing with family members or healthcare proxies: Neglecting to communicate the decision to have a DNR and the details of its scope can cause distress and confusion for relatives and healthcare agents during critical moments.

7. Forgetting to review and update the order: DNR orders should be reviewed periodically. Circumstances and preferences can change, and it's essential to ensure the order reflects the person's current wishes.

8. Not making copies readily available: After completing the DNR form, making several copies and ensuring they are accessible—to family members, healthcare proxies, and primary care providers—is crucial in an emergency.

Avoiding these mistakes ensures that the DNR order accurately reflects the individual's wishes and will be effectively communicated and respected in critical situations. It's always best to consult with healthcare professionals or legal advisors to ensure that the form is filled out properly and in compliance with Oregon's health directives laws.

When preparing for end-of-life care or emergency medical situations, many individuals and their families consider a variety of legal forms in addition to the Oregon Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form. These documents are crucial for ensuring that an individual's medical and personal wishes are respected and followed. Here is an overview of five other forms and documents commonly used alongside the Oregon DNR form:

• Advance Directive: This legal document allows individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care in the event that they become unable to communicate their wishes due to illness or incapacity. It often includes appointing a health care proxy or representative.
• Living Will: Focused on end-of-life care, a living will specifies the types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures an individual wishes to receive or refuse, such as mechanical ventilation or tube feeding.
• Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST): Signed by both a patient and their physician, the POLST form complements a DNR by providing more comprehensive instructions regarding CPR, antibiotics, artificial nutrition, and other treatments in serious health conditions.
• Medical Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy): This form designates a trusted person to make health care decisions on behalf of the individual if they become incapable of making such decisions themselves. It's essential for situations where medical decisions need to be made, and the individual is unable to communicate their wishes.
• Will: Though primarily focused on asset distribution after death, a will can also include instructions on funeral arrangements and the disposition of the body, which indirectly affects end-of-life care decisions.

Understanding and completing these documents can be a compassionate step towards providing clarity and relief for both the individual and their loved ones. It ensures that the person’s healthcare preferences are clearly laid out, respected, and can be legally upheld. Such preparation allows for a more focused concentration on comfort, dignity, and peace in the final stages of life.

The Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form in Oregon is similar to an Advanced Directive, primarily in its function of communicating medical wishes in advance. Both documents serve to guide healthcare providers about the patient's preferences regarding medical treatments at times when they may not be able to express these preferences themselves. An Advanced Directive is broader, covering more scenarios and decisions about health care treatments, whereas a DNR specifically addresses the desire not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event the heart stops or breathing ceases.

Comparable to the DNR Order form is a Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA), which also deals with medical decisions on behalf of an individual who is incapacitated. While a DNR is a directive regarding a specific medical intervention, a Medical Power of Attorney designates a person to make a variety of health care decisions if the individual cannot do so. This can encompass the enforcement or the withholding of a DNR order based on the patient's previously expressed wishes.

Similar to a DNR Order, a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form is designed to provide clear instructions for health care professionals regarding a patient's preferences for life-sustaining treatments, including CPR. Both are used to ensure that the patient's wishes are followed in critical situations without delay. However, POLST forms are more comprehensive, covering a variety of treatments beyond CPR and are intended for individuals with serious health conditions.

The Living Will, much like the DNR Order, is a legal document that outlines a person's preferences regarding end-of-life care. While a DNR specifically declines CPR, a living will can provide instructions on a broader range of interventions, such as mechanical ventilation or feeding tubes, specifying under what conditions these should or should not be used.

A Health Care Proxy is another document that, like a DNR, involves making important decisions about a person's medical care. Rather than specifying a particular medical treatment, it appoints a specific person to act as an agent to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the patient if they are unable. This document complements a DNR by ensuring that the appointed person respects the patient's desire not to receive CPR among other medical decisions that might need to be made.

Similarly, a Five Wishes Document offers a comprehensive approach to documenting one’s care preferences in the event of serious illness. Like a DNR, it includes directives about life-saving treatments one would or wouldn't want. However, it goes further by addressing personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes alongside the medical and legal aspects, providing a holistic approach to end-of-life planning.

The Out-of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate Order is closely related to the traditional DNR but is specifically designed for use outside of hospital settings, such as in homes or hospice care. It conveys a similar intention – to avoid CPR and other resuscitative measures – but is tailored for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel who respond to calls in non-hospital environments.

Lastly, a Mental Health Advance Directive is akin to a DNR in that it provides instructions for care in the event that the individual is unable to make decisions for themselves, focusing specifically on mental health treatment. While a DNR addresses physical interventions, a Mental Health Advance Directive covers choices related to psychiatric medication, hospitalization, and other mental health treatments, highlighting the individual's preferences for care in crisis situations.

When completing the Oregon Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form, it's important to approach the document with care and understanding. By following certain guidelines, you can ensure that the form accurately reflects your wishes or those of a loved one. Below are key dos and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do:

• Read the form thoroughly before filling it out. Understanding each section can help avoid mistakes.
• Ensure that the patient's information is accurate and complete, including full name and date of birth.
• Discuss the DNR order with the patient if possible, to make sure it reflects their wishes.
• Have the form signed by the required parties, which typically includes the patient (or their legally recognized health care decision-maker) and the physician.
• Ask questions if anything on the form is unclear. Health care providers can offer valuable guidance.
• Keep the completed DNR order in an easily accessible location and inform family members or caregivers of its existence and location.
• Consider having multiple copies of the form: one for the patient's home, one for their primary health care provider, and one to accompany the patient when traveling.
• Review and update the DNR order as needed, especially if the patient's health status or wishes change.
• Include a contact number for immediate family members or the health care proxy on the form, if space is provided.
• Ensure the form meets Oregon's specific requirements, which might differ from those of other states.

Don't:

• Fill out the form in haste. Take your time to ensure that all information is accurate and reflects true wishes.
• Sign the form without the consent of the patient, unless you are legally authorized to make health care decisions on their behalf.
• Use a DNR order to express wishes about other treatments or interventions the patient might or might not want. A DNR is specifically about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Forget to date the form. The date is critical for ensuring that the document reflects the most current wishes.
• Overlook the need for a witness or notary, if required by state law. Oregon may have specific requirements for witnessing the document.
• Assume that the form alone is enough. It's important to communicate the existence of a DNR order to all involved in the patient's care.
• Leave parts of the form blank. If certain sections do not apply, write "N/A" (not applicable) to indicate this.
• Fail to consider the emotional impact of a DNR order. These discussions and decisions can be challenging, but they're important.
• Ignore legal advice. Consulting with a health care attorney can provide clarity and ensure that all legal aspects are covered.
• Misplace the original document. A DNR needs to be readily available in case of an emergency.

There are several misconceptions about the Oregon Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form that need clarification. Understanding these can help ensure that individuals make informed decisions about their end-of-life care preferences.

• All emergency personnel will honor the DNR Order. This is not always the case. While the DNR Order is legally binding, some emergency responders are required to perform resuscitation until the DNR Order is physically presented or verified.

• A DNR Order means no medical treatment will be provided. A DNR Order specifically relates to not performing CPR or advanced cardiac life support if a person’s heartbeat or breathing stops. It does not mean that other types of medical care, like pain management or antibiotics, will be withheld.

• The form needs to be notarized to be valid. In Oregon, the DNR Order form does not have to be notarized to be considered valid. It must, however, be signed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and the patient or their legally authorized representative.

• Once signed, the DNR Order cannot be changed or canceled. This is false; a patient or their legally authorized representative can cancel or alter the DNR Order at any time. It’s important for individuals to discuss their wishes with their healthcare provider regularly.

• The DNR Order is only for elderly people. People of all ages with serious health conditions may consider a DNR Order. Decisions about a DNR Order are personal and based on individual values and health status, not age.

• Discussing a DNR Order is only necessary for those with terminal illnesses. While it's often part of end-of-life planning for those with terminal illnesses, discussing and potentially completing a DNR Order can be part of advance care planning for anyone, reflecting personal wishes regarding emergency medical care.

The Oregon Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form is an important document for those wishing to express their preferences regarding lifesaving treatments in critical situations. Here are 10 key takeaways for filling out and using this form:

1. The Oregon DNR Order form must be filled out by a patient or the patient's legally recognized decision-maker, indicating the patient's wish not to receive CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in the event their heart stops or if they stop breathing.
2. The document requires a physician's signature to be valid. This means the patient's doctor must agree with the patient's decision and confirm the patient's medical condition warrants a DNR order.
3. This DNR Order is only applicable in the state of Oregon. If the patient is traveling or relocates, it's important to look into the laws and regulations of the new location.
4. The form should be easily accessible to emergency personnel, ideally kept in a visible location within the home or carried by the individual. Some people choose to keep a copy in their wallet or purse.
5. Discussing your wishes concerning a DNR Order with family, close friends, and healthcare providers is crucial. These conversations ensure that your wishes are understood and respected by everyone involved.
6. If a patient changes their mind about their DNR Order, it is important to communicate this change to their healthcare provider immediately. A new form should be filled out and the old one destroyed.
7. In a healthcare facility, the DNR Order should be included in the patient's medical record. Make sure it's transferred or communicated if the patient is transferred to another facility.
8. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are trained to look for DNR orders in specific locations and under certain criteria. Familiarize yourself with these protocols to ensure your wishes are followed.
9. The DNR Order does not expire but can be revoked or updated at any time by the patient or their legally recognized decision-maker as long as the patient retains decision-making capacity.
10. Last but not least, having a DNR Order is a deeply personal decision that should be made after careful consideration and discussion with medical professionals and loved ones.

Understanding the implications and requirements of the Oregon DNR Order can ensure that a patient's wishes are respected during critical times. It's about taking control of your medical treatment and making informed choices about end-of-life care.