Do I Need a DNR?

“A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) is something that is needed on a case-by-case basis. A DNR is a prehospital medical directive. In Arizona, it is required that it be on orange paper. It requires your photo to be on the paper. It requires your doctor to sign off on it because what you are indicating to first responders is that you do not want to be resuscitated prior to going to the hospital.

I think what people are confusing this with is a living will which is your end-of-life instructions. A living will is when you are saying, if I’m approaching death either in a terminal condition or a vegetative state, I don’t want to be kept alive on a breathing machine or feeding tube. They are different documents. I want people to be educated on the difference between the two.”