Complete Story
09/25/2019
Physicians Should Still Sign DNR Orders Until Legislative Fix Complete
LeadingAge Ohio staff has been fielding multiple calls related to the September 1 update to Ohio’s Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form and rules. Of paramount concern is that while the Ohio Department of Health’s rules indicate that a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner may complete a DNR order, the statute governing Ohio’s Emergency Medical Services does not permit an EMT to follow orders from NPs or PAs.
In previous communications LeadingAge Ohio had shared communications that the Department of Health had encouraged NPs and PAs to write the provider number of their overseeing physician on the form, but more recent conversations with the emergency responder community indicate that will not be a tenable solution.
LeadingAge Ohio is supporting the Ohio Department of Public Safety in its work towards a legislative solution to this problem. Until the law is changed, LeadingAge Ohio advises providers to ensure physicians are signing DNR orders, to avert incidents where an emergency responder may refuse to follow a PA or NP signed order.
Any questions related to this may be directed to Anne Shelley at ashelley@leadingageohio.org.