There are times when a thought left in advance lightens the family's burden during the most difficult moments. Ontario's DNR Confirmation FormThis is one of them. The name may be unfamiliar, but the meaning is simple. It is an official form written so that paramedics and firefighters can immediately confirm the patient's wish not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when the heart has stopped.
Why is a separate confirmation required?
While treatment plans are documented within a hospital, the situation is different when someone collapses at home. Ontario lacks a registration system to look up DNR decisions, so paramedics arriving at the scene are, in principle, required to begin resuscitation unless a completed DNR form is presented. Therefore, if you have decided to proceed, it is crucial to document that decision in a form that can be verified at the scene.
Things to know about the confirmation letter
- This confirmation is valid only if signed by a Medical Doctor (MD), Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Clinical Nurse (EC), or Nurse Professional Nurse (RPN). It is not a document to be completed by the individual or a family member alone.
- Before signing, the patient's (when capable of judgment) will not include CPR in the treatment plan or the consent of the substitute decision maker (SDM) must first be documented in the medical record.
- A DNR simply means that resuscitation will not be performed; it does not mean that care is being abandoned. Measures to alleviate pain and provide comfort (such as oxygen, suctioning, and pain relief) will continue to be provided.
- Each form has a unique serial number, and copies are permitted once fully completed. There is no expiration date, but if the treatment plan changes to include CPR, this certificate will no longer be presented.
- Requests such as partial resuscitation (e.g., compressions but no defibrillation) cannot be handled by this confirmation form. In such cases, the doctor and the surrogate decision-maker will consult in the emergency room.
This is by no means a decision to be taken lightly. However, the warmest meaning of this document would be to calmly consult with your doctor and discuss it with your family in advance, so that someday your family will not have to ask each other, "What would Mom and Dad have wanted?".
※ This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make decisions appropriate for your individual situation.
Source: Health Ontario DNR Form 4519-45 — Ontario DNR Confirmation (PDF)
Hull & Hull LLP, Implementing Do Not Resuscitate Directions at Home — https://hullandhull.com/2021/01/implementing-do-not-resuscitate-directions-at-home/ |
