If you create a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR), it’s important to keep the form somewhere safe and easily accessible. This is to ensure everyone caring for you during a medical emergency where you are incapacitated is aware of your end-of-life wishes. 

Some states require patients to have a physical copy of their DNR when visiting a medical facility. So, where do you keep this DNR so it’s safe but easily accessible? We’ll explain some of the best places to store it. 

Key Takeaways

• You should keep your DNR in a place that’s easily accessible so first responders and doctors can respect your wishes.
   

• Store your DNR order form on your refrigerator door or somewhere in plain sight.
   

• Share your DNR order digitally with a secure and accessible platform like Trustworthy. 

Importance of Keeping Your DNR Form Accessible 

Wherever you store your DNR, it needs to be somewhere that’s easily accessible for you and others during a medical emergency. 

For example, if you experience an emergency in your home and need the assistance of paramedics, you should be able to explain where this form is. Some people prefer wearing medical jewelry like bracelets or necklaces to get the rescuer's attention.  

If you’re taken to a medical facility like a hospital, the first thing the medical staff will look for is a DNR order. If they cannot find one on you in the form of a form, card, or jewelry, they may go against your wishes. 

If you are resuscitated but doctors were not aware of a DNR or there was some miscommunication, they generally won’t face any legal troubles despite how frustrating it may be for you. So, it’s so important to have this DNR somewhere readily available.

Heidi Garvis, an aging life care consultant and certified senior advisor in Virginia, notes: ”There are far too many stories out there from people who wake up tethered to tubes and machines and say, ‘I was supposed to die.’”    

Best Places to Store Your DNR Form at Home

If you store your DNR at home, you must be smart about where you put it. Don’t choose a spot where you know you’re likely to forget because if you can’t remember, the medical personnel won’t know where to look. That’s why you should keep your DNR out in the open.  

Garvis advises putting a note on the refrigerator door indicating there is a DNR stashed inside the fridge. “What people don’t understand is that in a crisis situation, no one is going to look in a safe or a locked drawer," she says. "Plain sight is what works.”

In fact, while there is no universal training for paramedics, it’s a common practice for many to check the refrigerator first. Often, people with diabetes suffering from very high blood sugar will need the medication in the fridge. You don’t have to use the refrigerator, though. Even putting a note on your kitchen cupboard or notice board is a good idea.   

Some people choose to display important medical information on their front doors using a program called Vial of Life. Patients will fill out a form to alert first responders of specific medical information if the patients are unable to talk, and a sticker will be placed on the door. This is a great way to store your DNR in plain sight. 

Bedside tables or drawers next to your bed also make for a common place where paramedics will look for a DNR. 

It’s become more common for people to choose tattoos over wearing medical jewelry. If you decide to use this unconventional method of getting inked, make sure you choose an easily visible location, like an inner wrist or elbow. However, this method is not guaranteed to capture the attention of paramedics or doctors since more than 40% of American adults have tattoos.   

Including Your DNR in Medical Records

In addition to having some form of physical copy on your person or in your home, you should add your DNR to your medical records so that when you’re admitted to the hospital, a quick search in the system will show you have a DNR. 

Typically, once your healthcare provider signs off on your DNR, depending on the state’s signature requirements, they will add it to your medical records and distribute this information to other healthcare providers.

You can use Trustworthy to share your DNR with family members and healthcare providers. The award-winning Trustworthy Family Operating System® can be used to manage all your estate planning in one secure location. With 256-bit AES encryption, two-factor authentication, and HIPAA and SOC 3 compliance, Trustworthy ensures your medical information is protected.    

Informing Family Members and Notifying Emergency Services

On top of storing your DNR somewhere safely, you should also notify your family members, close friends, caregivers, and emergency services about it.

This is extremely important if you are in an emergency situation and are unable to communicate effectively with medical personnel. They can convey your wishes. This can also help avoid any confusion or miscommunication of your wishes during a medical emergency if your family is unaware that you have a DNR.  

One easy way to share this information with your family is with Trustworthy. The collaborative features allow you to share access with a trusted network of family members or someone with medical power of attorney. Trustworthy can connect you and your family members with a local Trustworthy Certified Expert™ to help you manage your end-of-life planning.    

Carrying a DNR Card in Your Wallet or Purse

When creating a DNR order, some patients are issued a DNR card that’s easily stored in their wallets and purses. 

During a medical emergency, this is typically one of the first places that medical staff will search if the patient comes in with their wallet or purse. Make sure that wherever you store your card in your purse or wallet, it’s not hidden away at the back or in some hard-to-find spot. Keep it near the most visible part. 

Providing a Copy to Healthcare Providers

So, you have a copy of your DNR somewhere in your home, in your purse or wallet, and you inform your family members. 

Now, you need to provide a copy of your DNR to your healthcare providers. Some of the most important healthcare providers who will need this information are your primary care physician and the specialists who work on your care. 

Generally, if you give a copy of the DNR to your healthcare providers, they will share this order with other healthcare providers and upload it to your medical history.   

Digital Storage Solutions for Your DNR

In addition to storing your DNR physically in person or your home, take advantage of secure and convenient digital storage solutions where the risk of misplacing the document is removed. 

Some people choose to store their important medical information on their cell phones since they’re often with us. 

If you use your cellphone as a storage location, you should use the ICE method that was invented by paramedics in Britain. 

So, you would choose a contact that knows you have a DNR and write ICE alongside their name so paramedics and doctors know to call this contact. Make sure the person is aware they’re your emergency contact and have updated knowledge on your medical condition.

However, there is no guarantee that medical staff will look through your phone first, so keeping a physical copy is the recommended approach. 

Trustworthy is the best location to digitally store your DNR, thanks to the edge-cutting security technologies used. 

Basically, Trustworthy is a digital safe deposit box that can help keep important documents safe without the hassle of filing physical documents. Ensure that others are aware of your DNR by sharing sensitive documents with your family members or power of attorney with easy access. You’ll never lose a document again with Trustworthy.       

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should have a DNR card?

Anyone who has a DNR order should have a DNR card and keep it in a safe place that is easily accessible. 

How do I obtain a DNR card?

After you have filled out the DNR forms and had a doctor sign off on them, your doctor will help you get a DNR card or bracelet. 

Is a DNR card legally binding?

Yes, because it is just proof of your DNR order. However, if you don’t fill in the forms correctly or don’t have all the required signatures, your DNR order is invalid, and therefore, so is the DNR card. 

How often should I update my DNR card?

Once you create your DNR, it does not need to be updated unless you change your mind and want it revoked. Depending on what state you travel to, you may need to update it to meet that state’s requirements. 

What information is included on a DNR card?

Your DNR card will have a photo of you and your name and will say something like,“In case of emergency, DO NOT RESUSCITATE.”