Living wills and orders not to resuscitate: what is the difference?

There is confusion about the meaning of living wills and orders not to resuscitate. Both are very important concepts which allow patients to control some of the decisions at the end of life. Living wills are valid until revoked, have the same meaning throughout Louisiana, and are implemented when a patient becomes incompetent and qualified (certified in writing as having a terminal and irreversible condition). Orders not to resuscitate are policy matters in each hospital, thus they vary throughout the state. They are implemented at the time of cardiac arrest.