Posted on 12/01/2017 9:16:26 AM PST by BenLurkin
Doctors in Miami faced an unusual ethical dilemma when an unconscious, deteriorating patient was brought into the emergency room with the words “Do Not Resuscitate” across his chest.
The 70-year-old man was taken earlier this year to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where doctors made their startling discovery: a chest tattoo that seemed to convey the patient's end-of-life wishes. The word “Not” was underlined, and the tattoo included a signature.
It left the medical team grappling with myriad ethical and legal questions.
...
Holt said the patient, who had a history of pulmonary disease, lived at a nursing home but was found intoxicated and unconscious on the street and brought to Jackson Memorial.
He arrived with no identification, no family or friends, and no way to tell doctors whether he wanted to live or die.
Holt said the man had an infection that led to septic shock, which causes organ failure and extremely low blood pressure.
When his blood pressure started to drop, emergency room doctors called Holt, who specializes in pulmonary disease — and they first agreed not to honor the tattoo, “invoking the principle of not choosing an irreversible path when faced with uncertainty,” according to the case study.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“A tattoo is not a legally executed DNR order.”
Unless it says, “I’m Ready For Hillary!”
A couple of years ago, in Florida, where my father was dying, a hospice nurse told us that a DNR was only valid if it were printed on a yellow sheet of paper. I have no idea whether that’s true in Florida, but she was convinced of it.
You do that and your relatives will question your mental state and claim lack of testamentary capacity.
Ahhh they do anyway. And they give me such a rough time about my imaginary Corvette!
Always keep the relatives guessing....
You need to purchase a model of one to make it legit...
I do have some extra room in my shop...
;)
Caught a second wind!
What about a medical bracelet?
I agree with you ... but ...
It was reported once they did get his medical information he did indeed have a DNR on file. Eventually he passed and they did not need to attempt CPR or other resuscitation.
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