Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
A Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR)
order is an instruction, issued for a specific person, by a
physician providing treatment for that person. A
Health Care Proxy
and
Living Will
are
completed by the individual and witnessed by others. A DNR
advises that the person does not want
cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) in the event that his/her heart stops
beating or he/she stops breathing. A DNR order instructs
health care facilities, their staff, and emergency medical
personnel (including ambulance personnel) not to initiate
CPR. Hospitals and nursing homes have their own forms which
need to be completed in order to enact a DNR.
Individuals residing in the
community may have a non-hospital do-not-resuscitate order issued. This
form is intended for patients not originating in a hospital
or nursing home.
Organ Donor
Designation
Organ donor
designation is a type of
advance directive as it allows you
to make a decision about something that you wish to occur
upon your death.
Which organs can be
donated?
The ability to donate
organs depends upon your age medical condition and
circumstances at the time of death. Organs are evaluated on
an individual basis. Organs that may be allowed to be
donated include your: heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas
and intestines.
Which tissues can
be donated?
- Whole eyes or
corneas may be donated to provide the gift of sight.
- Hearts may be
donated for human heart valves.
- Cardiovascular
tissue (which includes the thoracic aorta, the abdominal
aorta with iliac arteries, saphenous veins and femoral
arteries) may be donated to restore compromised blood
circulation.
- Bone and soft
musculoskeletal tissue, such as ligaments, may be
donated for orthopedic and spinal surgeries, and sports
medicine injuries.
- Skin may be
donated to promote healing and prevent infection in
critically burned individuals.
To learn more
about organ donation, visit
www.donatelifeny.org.
An Organ
Donor Designation allows you to document your wishes
regarding donating your organs after your death. Even if
you have indicated that you would like to be an organ donor,
your family or health care proxy/agent must give their
permission in order for the donation to take place. To
download a form that will notify your family of your desire
to be an organ donor, complete a
Family Notification Form.
In NYS,
you can make your wishes to donate your organs known on the
Health Care Proxy Form
and/or on the back of
your New York State driver’s license.
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