You’ve decided to create a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order and consulted your healthcare provider. Now, you need to obtain the form—but where can you find it?
We’ll guide you through where to get the form, how it works, and other important legal considerations.
Key Takeaways
You can obtain a DNR form from your healthcare provider or online for free.
For your end-of-life wishes to be carried out, your DNR has to be valid according to your state’s requirements.
Store your DNR order in a secure digital vault like Trustworthy to keep it secure and accessible to family members.
How to Get a Do-Not-Resuscitate Form
You can also find DNR forms online for free and can download them from popular and reputable sources like legaltemplates.net and eforms.com.
These websites provide standardized templates accepted by the medical industry. To use them, select the form you want to use and print. You can fill out the forms by hand or electronically and then sign them.
DNR forms are also readily available on each state government website. For example, the Vermont Department of Health makes its DNR/COLST form easily accessible and also provides patients with information about approved DNR medical ID vendors that can be used. The Texas Health and Human Services has DNR PDF forms readily available in English and Spanish, as well as some useful FAQs for patients.
Obtaining a DNR Form From Hospitals and Clinics
Getting a DNR form from the hospital or your local clinic is a relatively easy process. To do this, consult with your healthcare provider at the hospital or clinic. During the consultation or treatment, you must explain that you wish to create a DNR order, and they will provide you with the correct documents.
Attorney John Strohmeyer of Strohmeyer Law in Houston explains: “A do-not-resuscitate order is meant to cover situations where you’re outside of the hospital, and you want to make sure you are not revived. So remember that this will stop visitor physicians or other medical personnel from engaging in CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.”
While you can fill out this form at home, it is recommended to do it with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about the process. They will likely remind you that you can change your mind at any time.
After filling in all the correct information, your healthcare provider will assist you in uploading the form to the system and adding it to your medical history. It’s the responsibility of the healthcare provider to distribute your DNR order to other healthcare providers. They can also assist with providing a DNR card or jewelry like necklaces or bracelets.
Once you sign the form, you can give a copy to your doctor and store your copy digitally with Trustworthy. Trustworthy’s secure collaborative features allow you to safely share access to your documents, like a DNR, with your family or your medical power of attorney.
Trustworthy keeps your documents safe thanks to the cutting-edge security used, like 256-bit AES encryption, two-factor authentication, and HIPAA, SOC 2 (Type 2), and SOC 3 compliance.
Legal Considerations With a DNR
It’s important to note that while a DNR form is pretty standard in the sense that it will require your legal name, date, and signatures from you, your physician, or witnesses, the exact requirements can differ from state to state.
For example, in Texas, patients can choose to wear medical jewelry like bracelets or necklaces in lieu of carrying their DNR form, whereas other states may require patients to carry their DNR forms.
Some states also have different signing requirements that need to be followed to ensure the DNR is valid. This means if you’re traveling to a state with different DNR signing requirements than your own, you’ll have to redo your DNR in the state to be valid.
For example, in Alabama, a valid DNR form needs to have a signature from the patient and the physician, whereas in Indiana, a DNR form needs signatures from the patient, physician, and two witnesses. In Iowa, a DNR is valid with only a signature from the physician. So, if you’re traveling from Iowa to Alabama, your DNR wouldn’t be considered valid.
Ensuring your DNR is valid in the state you live in is so important because if it’s not, healthcare providers or your family members may choose to ignore your end-of-life wishes and resuscitate you. If your DNR is not valid, they will likely face no legal consequences despite how frustrated you may feel.
Ensure your DNR is 100% valid by using Trustworthy. Trustworthy can connect you and your family members with a local Trustworthy Certified Expert™ to help you manage your end-of-life planning like DNRs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a DNR order?
Anyone can request a DNR order as long as they are aware of what their decision entails. People with terminal illnesses or who are in chronic pain often order a DNR.
How does a DNR order differ from other advance directives?
The difference between other advance directives, like living wills and medical power of attorney, is that a DNR is written by your healthcare provider and is less broad.
Can a DNR order be revoked or changed?
Yes, your DNR can be changed if your conditions and preferences have changed. You also have the right to change your mind and can revoke your DNR at any time.
Will a DNR order affect other medical treatments?
No, because a DNR is specifically applied to life-saving treatment that involves resuscitation methods. It does not apply to palliative care or pain medications.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a DNR order?
If you’re looking to avoid traumatic and aggressive end-of-life treatment that leaves you with potential injuries, a DNR is a good idea. However, DNRs can cause conflict among families who do not want to accept this choice.
Related: How Do I File a DNR?
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Trustworthy is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice.
