DNR LAW & PROTOCOLS
Let me tell you a story that made me learn about certain laws and protocols. There was a patient that started Hospice as usual. The family wanted him DNR with comfort measures, yet they had special wishes and instructions of not wanting him to die at home. They wanted him to pass anywhere(ambulance, hospital..), yes, you are reading right, ANYWHERE, but home. The family was educated that being DNR was contraindicated with having him pass anywhere but home, as if Paramedics were to be called, they would not take him to the Hospital (as he is DNR), rather than family would have to have him full code to be taken. The family adamantly DID NOT WANT HIM FULL CODE (CPR, intubation etc..). We were not able to get through to them, to help them understand the situation at hand, even with the great efforts of our nurses and social workers. Then one night, the patient had a sudden change in condition, and the family had called 911. The family also paged our on-call nurse letting her know that they have called 911. Paramedics came, however, due to the family wanting the patient to be DNR, the patient could NOT be taken to the hospital. The on-call nurse was informed and was en route. Long story short, we initiated continuous care and reassured the family that it is safe for the patient to pass at home, and if they did not want to witness it happen, we would be there for them. We would be with the patient day and night to make sure he is comfortable and not alone. If the family chooses not to come in the room, that is completely fine, and we will respect that, but the patient was NOT ALONE!
The moral of the story reads:
Living in this uncertain world and knowing that hospitals are overloaded with patients, your loved ones do not have to be alone. You do not have to be separated from your family and if you have us, you have 24/7 support. And with our 24/7 support, you and your family ARE NEVER ALONE! We got you all the way…