Alaska Do Not Resuscitate Order Document

What is a Do Not Resuscitate Order form in Alaska?

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form in Alaska is a legal document that tells healthcare professionals not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if a person's heart stops beating or if they stop breathing. This order is used by people who want to refuse life-extending treatments in certain situations.

Who can fill out a DNR form in Alaska?

In Alaska, a DNR form can be filled out by an adult who is capable of making their own healthcare decisions, a legal guardian, or a healthcare agent appointed through a durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions if the person is unable to make their own decisions.

How can someone obtain a DNR form in Alaska?

To obtain a DNR form in Alaska, you can visit the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website or contact your healthcare provider. They can provide you with the form and guidance on how to properly complete it.

Does a DNR order need to be signed by a doctor?

Yes, in Alaska, a Do Not Resuscitate Order must be signed by a licensed physician. The physician's signature confirms that the patient has made an informed decision about refusing CPR in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Can a DNR order be revoked?

Yes, a DNR order can be revoked at any time by the person who made it. This can be done by destroying the DNR form, telling healthcare providers you have changed your mind, or by any other clear indication that the person wants to revoke the DNR order.

Is a DNR order the same as a living will?

No, a DNR order is not the same as a living will. A living will is a written document that specifies what types of medical treatments a person wants or does not want if they become unable to express their wishes. A DNR order specifically concerns the refusal of CPR in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

How should a DNR order be stored?

A DNR order should be kept in a place where it is easily accessible to EMS personnel and healthcare providers, such as on the refrigerator or with your personal identification. It's also a good idea to inform family members and any healthcare agents of the order's existence and location.

What happens if emergency medical services (EMS) are not aware of a DNR order?

If EMS personnel are not made aware of a DNR order, they will likely proceed with all available emergency procedures, including CPR, if a person experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that the DNR order is visible or known to those who might be called to respond in an emergency.

When completing the Alaska Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form, attention to detail is crucial. A properly filled-out form ensures that a person's wishes regarding resuscitation are respected. However, mistakes can happen. Below are six common errors that people often make during this process:

1. Not consulting with a healthcare professional: The form requires input and a signature from a certified healthcare professional. Failing to consult with one can lead to misunderstandings about the implications of a DNR order.

2. Incomplete patient information: Every field that requests patient information must be filled out completely. Leaving sections blank may cause confusion or delay in an emergency situation.

3. Illegible handwriting: If the form is filled out by hand, ensuring that the handwriting is clear and legible is important. Unclear writing can mislead healthcare providers in critical moments.

4. Forgetting to date and sign: A common oversight is failing to sign and date the form. Without these, the form is not legally binding, negating the DNR instructions.

5. Not making enough copies: Once completed, the form should be distributed to relevant parties, including family members and healthcare providers. Not having enough copies can lead to unnecessary complications.

6. Using an outdated form: Regulations and forms may change. Using the most recent version of the DNR form ensures compliance with current state guidelines.

Avoiding these mistakes is key to ensuring that a person's health care wishes are honored accurately and without delay. It's always recommended to review the completed DNR form with a healthcare professional to confirm that all information is correct and up-to-date.

When preparing an Alaska Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, it's important to consider other documents that may complement or be necessary to ensure one's wishes are respected regarding health care and end-of-life decisions. These documents, used together, can provide a comprehensive approach to individual health care planning and ensure that medical preferences are clearly communicated to family members and health care providers.

• Advance Health Care Directive: This document allows an individual to specify their health care preferences, including the type of medical treatment they wish to receive or refuse, in the event they become unable to communicate their decisions. It can also appoint a health care agent to make decisions on their behalf.
• Medical Power of Attorney: Similar to part of the Advance Health Care Directive, this legal document enables an individual to appoint someone they trust to make health care decisions for them if they're unable to do so themselves.
• Living Will: It outlines a person's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments if they become terminally ill or are in a persistent vegetative state and cannot communicate their health care preferences.
• POLST form (Provider Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): While similar to a DNR, this form provides more comprehensive instructions about life-sustaining treatments based on current medical conditions and is intended for seriously ill or frail patients.
• Will: This legal document outlines how a person's assets and estate will be distributed upon their death. Although not directly related to health care decisions, it is an important component of end-of-life planning.
• HIPAA Release Form: This form allows health care providers to share an individual's health information with designated persons, ensuring family members, or other appointed agents, can communicate effectively with medical teams.
• Emergency Medical Information Form: Often stored in a visible location within the home or kept on one's person, this form provides critical health information to emergency responders, including existing conditions, medications, allergies, and contact information for the individual's doctor and emergency contacts.

Having these documents in place, in conjunction with an Alaska DNR Order, ensures that an individual's health care preferences are known, respected, and can be acted upon. It also provides peace of mind to the individual and their loved ones, knowing that preparations have been made for future health care decisions.

The Alaska Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form closely resembles an Advance Directive in its purpose and structure. Both documents serve as crucial tools in preemptive health care planning, allowing individuals to outline their preferences for medical treatment in situations where they might not be able to communicate their wishes directly. The main distinction lies in the scope; whereas a DNR specifically addresses the desire not to have CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or advanced cardiac life support in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest, an Advance Directive might cover a broader range of medical interventions and treatments.

Living Wills also share a significant overlap with the DNR Order form. They document an individual's wishes regarding end-of-life care, including decisions about life-prolonging treatments, in circumstances where recovery is not expected. The primary difference is that a Living Will is more comprehensive, often covering situations far beyond the specific scenario of cardiac or respiratory failure. Furthermore, Living Wills may communicate desires about pain management, artificial nutrition and hydration, and other measures, in addition to resuscitation preferences.

Another similar document is the Medical Power of Attorney (POA), which enables an individual to appoint a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so. While a DNR Order directly communicates a specific medical wish regarding resuscitation, a Medical POA provides a broader delegation of decision-making authority, including but not limited to decisions about resuscitation. The person appointed through a Medical POA can consult the patient's DNR Order as part of their decision-making process.

The POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) paradigm, utilized in many states, also has a close relationship with the Alaska DNR Order. Both documents are meant to ensure that a patient’s wishes regarding emergency medical treatment and life-sustaining measures are respected outside of the hospital setting, including at the patient's home or in a nursing home. The POLS Tform is typically more comprehensive, covering a range of life-sustaining interventions beyond CPR, such as intubation and mechanical ventilation, based on conversations between patients and their healthcare providers.

Finally, the Five Wishes document, a type of Advance Directive created by the nonprofit organization Aging with Dignity, shares similarities with the Alaska DNR Order. It allows individuals to express their wishes concerning medical treatment, comfort care, and how they want to be treated by others at the end of life. While the Five Wishes document goes beyond healthcare choices to include personal, emotional, and spiritual wishes, its focus on the prospect of life-saving vs. life-sustaining measures echoes the intention behind a DNR to guide medical professionals in respecting patient autonomy at life’s end.

When preparing the Alaska Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form, it's crucial to handle the process carefully to ensure that your healthcare wishes are clearly documented and legally recognized. Below are lists of what you should and shouldn't do while filling out the form:

What You Should Do:

1. Review the form and instructions carefully to ensure you understand the implications of a DNR order.
2. Discuss your decision with a healthcare provider to ensure that a DNR order aligns with your healthcare wishes and needs.
3. Complete the form with accurate personal information, including your full legal name, date of birth, and other required identification details.
4. Sign the form in the presence of the required witnesses or a notary public, if necessary. Different jurisdictions may have different witnessing requirements.
5. Notify your family or healthcare proxy of your decision to have a DNR order, so they are aware of your wishes.
6. Keep the original DNR form in an easily accessible location and provide copies to your healthcare provider, family, or anyone else involved in your healthcare decisions.
7. Periodically review and, if necessary, update your DNR order to ensure it still reflects your current healthcare wishes.

What You Shouldn't Do:

• Do not fill out the DNR form without fully understanding the consequences of the order and how it might affect your medical treatment.
• Avoid leaving any required sections of the form blank, as incomplete forms may not be legally valid.
• Do not sign the form without the necessary witness or notary public present, as required by Alaska law.
• Avoid using a DNR order as a substitute for a comprehensive advance healthcare directive or living will.
• Do not keep your DNR order a secret from your family, healthcare proxy, or healthcare providers.
• Refrain from forgetting to review and refresh your DNR order at regular intervals or after significant changes in your health.
• Avoid assuming all healthcare providers will automatically know about your DNR order; ensure it is documented in your medical records and provided to healthcare facilities where you receive care.

When considering end-of-life care, it's essential to understand the specifics of the Alaska Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form. Misunderstandings can complicate what is already a challenging process. Let's clarify some common misconceptions.

• Only elderly patients can complete a DNR form in Alaska. This is incorrect. Patients of any age can fill out a DNR, as long as they are competent to make such decisions or have a legal healthcare decision-maker who can do so on their behalf. The key factor is the individual’s health condition, not their age.

• A DNR order is valid in all states once signed in Alaska. This is a misconception. While many states have agreements recognizing out-of-state DNR orders, it is not universal. It's always a good idea to verify the rules when traveling or moving to ensure your wishes will be respected.

• Completing a DNR form means you will not receive any medical treatment. This is not true. A DNR specifically addresses resuscitation attempts in the event of cardiac or respiratory failure. It does not mean that other forms of medical care, such as pain management or antibiotic treatment, will be denied.

• A DNR order can only be set up by a lawyer. This too is mistaken. While legal consultation can be beneficial, especially when creating a comprehensive estate or health care plan, a lawyer is not required to complete a DNR form. The form must be filled out correctly and signed by a certified medical provider.

• Verbal DNR orders are sufficient for emergency medical services (EMS). Verbal DNR orders are not legally binding in Alaska. For EMS to honor a DNR, it must be properly documented on the state-approved DNR form, signed by a healthcare provider, and readily available in an emergency.

• The DNR order also refuses life-sustaining treatments such as feeding tubes or dialysis. This is a common misunderstanding. A DNR order is specific to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and does not apply to other life-sustaining treatments unless explicitly stated in advance directives or other legal documents.

The Alaska Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order form is a crucial document for individuals who choose not to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event their heart stops or they stop breathing. Here are six key takeaways to understand when filling out and utilizing the Alaska DNR Order form:

• Understanding the Form's Purpose: The primary purpose of the Alaska DNR Order form is to document an individual's wish not to have CPR administered. This is particularly important for patients with terminal illnesses or those who prefer not to undergo aggressive life-saving measures.
• Requirements for Execution: For a DNR Order to be considered valid in Alaska, it must be signed by the individual (or their legally authorized representative if the individual is unable to sign) and their physician. This dual-signature requirement ensures that the decision is informed and agreed upon medically.
• Clear Identification: The individual who has completed a DNR Order should ensure that the form is easily accessible to emergency personnel. In some cases, wearing a DNR bracelet or necklace that signals their DNR status to first responders is also recommended.
• Revocation Process: It is important to understand that an individual can revoke their DNR Order at any time. The revocation does not need to be in writing; it can be done verbally by communicating the wish to rescind the order to either the attending physician or emergency medical personnel.
• Impact on Other Medical Treatments: Completing a DNR Order does not mean that an individual will be denied other forms of medical treatment. The order is specifically for CPR and does not affect other medical interventions that could provide comfort or treat other conditions.
• Legal Recognition and Portability: The Alaska DNR Order is recognized statewide. However, if an individual travels outside of Alaska, it's advisable to understand and possibly prepare according to the DNR protocols of the visited state, as recognition and requirements may vary.

It's essential for individuals contemplating a DNR Order to discuss their wishes with family members, healthcare providers, and if necessary, a legal advisor to ensure that their preferences are clearly understood and respected. Comprehensive understanding and proper execution of the Alaska DNR Order form can offer peace of mind to individuals and their families during critical moments.