A medical ID allows you to communicate your choice when you cannot speak for yourself. A DNR or Do Not Resuscitate request is usually made by the patient or health care power of attorney and allows the medical teams taking care of them to respect the patient’s wishes.
In the U.S., CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) will not be performed if a valid written "DNR" order is present. Although laws may vary by state or county, it is typical for emergency medical services personnel who are presented with a valid DNR form, signed by your doctor, or who identify a standard DNR bracelet on you, to comply with the DNR order.
The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) allows patients with a DNR order to do the following:
An important first step before getting a DNR order is to communicate your desires for end-of-life care with those closest to you. From there, you need to inform those who handle your medical care and coordinate with them to ensure you have the correct and official documentation in place with the proper signatures.
Do you need more information on DNR requirements and forms? Please select your state below:
If you or a loved one is interested in a DNR, please discuss this with your physician to ensure you have the proper paperwork on file and accessible.
*Requirements may vary by state or county; please consult proper medical and legal advice before engraving your DNR wishes on a medical ID.