Contra Costa County, located in California, has specific legal provisions for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) requests. A DNR is a medical order that informs healthcare professionals not to perform life-saving measures to revive or sustain a person in case their heart stops, or they stop breathing. In Contra Costa California, a comprehensive DNR request encompasses different types, each serving a unique purpose. 1. Standard Do Not Resuscitate (DNR): The standard DNR request is the traditional form of a DNR order. Patients who possess this order indicate their choice to forgo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if their heart stops beating, or they cease breathing. This request is applicable to various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home care environments. 2. Prehospital Do Not Resuscitate (PH-DNR): Contra Costa County provides an additional option called the Prehospital DNR order. It is specifically designed for individuals who wish to express their DNR preferences outside a healthcare facility. The PH-DNR is applicable to emergency medical service (EMS) providers who respond to 911 calls and emergency situations. 3. Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POST) DNR: A POST DNR request is a more detailed and comprehensive form of a DNR order. It encompasses the preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and additional life-sustaining treatments, such as intubation, ventilation, and artificially administered nutrition. POST DNR orders are highly detailed and transferable across healthcare settings. 4. Electronic DNR (Edna): Contra Costa County also offers an electronic DNR option, commonly known as Edna. This electronically stored DNR request is accessible to emergency medical providers through a secure database. The Edna ensures the quick retrieval of a patient's DNR status during emergencies when the physical copy may not be readily available. To request a DNR in Contra Costa California, individuals must consult with their physician or healthcare provider to understand the options available and ensure that their preferences are accurately documented. It is crucial to keep the signed DNR form readily accessible and inform family members or caregivers of its existence to ensure proper execution during emergencies.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.