Do not resuscitate (DNR): analysis of the DNR act

Due to advances in technology, physicians and patients are being faced with the issue of do not resuscitate (DNR). DNR is an order that determines whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be administered to a critically ill person. Within the state of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma DNR act was created in order to establish regulations regarding the decision-making of when to use CPR. This Act gives rise to legal and ethical problems, which have been taken into consideration by the Oklahoma Association for Healthcare Ethics (OAHE). The following article focuses on DNR with examples of case histories and possible recommendations for improvement to the current law. Furthermore, this article sets out to show why the decision of whether or not to resuscitate should be made by the patient or their family.