Scenario 2: Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
A Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) Order, also known as a do not resuscitate (DNR) order, is written by a licensed physician in consultation with a patient or surrogate decision maker that indicates whether or not the patient will receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the setting of cardiac and/or respiratory arrest. CPR is a series of specific medical procedures that attempt to maintain perfusion to vital organs while efforts are made to reverse the underlying cause for the cardiopulmonary arrest. Although a DNAR order may be a component of an advance directive or indicated through advance care planning, it is valid without an advance directive. Do not resuscitate (or no code) is a law binding order that is written on forms provided by the hospital or other legal forms to prevent the implementation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other advance cardiac life support (ACLS) attempts, in respect to the preferences and wishes of the patient in the instance of their heart stop beating or they stop breathing. The Commonwealth State of Virginia has their own specific laws regarding DNR as well as an official DNR form that can be used by the patient should they decide against the use of CPR and/or ACLS.
The Commonwealth State of Virginia’s version of DNR is called The Durable Do Not Resuscitate (DDNR) Order. The state of Virginia devised regulations to follow through with the intent of the applicable Virginia law which gives the patient full autonomy to execute the DDNR order that conforms to his or her own wishes. The DDNR form may be honored by any "qualified health care personnel," which is defined as any qualified emergency medical services personnel and any licensed healthcare provider or practitioner functioning in any facility, program or organization operated or licensed by...