[Surgicalcric]

Actually quite to the contrary.

A few years back, maybe 4 or so, a case was taken to the State Supreme Court after an EMS crew provided ALS care to an individual involved in a MVA who had a Living Will. It was ruled without the care given by the EMS crew the PT would have died at the scene but instead is now quad.

The crew was cleared, but there was much talk about changing the Living Wills here to read just as a pre-hospital DNR does for EMS. There is a difference between a DNR and a pre-hospital DNR BTW. Also not all states have legislation that support pre-hosp DNR's. With a valid PH-DNR we can provide supportive care only (ie: O2, IV, Pain meds, NTG, ASA, etc.) This this mean no advanced airway, drug therapy other than noted, and no CPR.

If I am not mistaken it is still being debated by the state legislature. I will check on that and get back with you. There are states however that do recognize Living Wills in the pre-hospital setting.

DNR's here can only be issued for terminal illnesses (ie: terminal cancer, ESRD, and so-on.)

In 1995, an act was passed to amend Title 44 by adding Chapter 78, the Emergency Medical Services Do Not Resuscitate Act (EMS DNR Act). This act allows EMS personnel to honor written DNR orders on the adult terminally ill patient.