Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)

Resuscitate vs. Do Not Resuscitate

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a procedure used to revive a person when the heart and/or breathing stops. Originally it was created for reviving healthy people who suffered a sudden, unexpected death (such as a drowning or a heart rhythm problem). Today, anyone who has not designated otherwise, is presumed to want resuscitation.

Some people who are elderly or who have many medical problems decide they do not want CPR. This does not mean they wish to 'Give Up' or want to not be alive. It means that they are willing to accept their death when it is their natural dying time.

Those who decide they do not want to be resuscitated need to have their doctor write an order that will say 'No CPR' or 'Do Not Resuscitate' or 'No Code'. A doctor's order is needed to stop CPR. A written statement in a Power of Attorney for Health Care document from the state of Wisconsin or a Living Will will not stop CPR.

In the state of Wisconsin, if a person has a doctor's order for 'no CPR’, they wear a special bracelet while hospitalized. If a person living in the community is certain they do not ever want CPR done, they must wear a specific Community DNR bracelet that is provided by the State of Wisconsin. Plastic hospital-type bracelets are free from community hospitals. Metal bracelets are available through Medic-Alert for a fee.

The Chippewa Valley CARE Coalition can answer questions about resuscitation and can provide information on how to obtain a free plastic Community DNR bracelet or how to purchase a metal Community DNR bracelet from Medic-Alert.