A Florida Do Not Resuscitate Order—commonly called a DNRO—is a specific medical order directing that cardiopulmonary resuscitation not be attempted if the patient experiences cardiac or respiratory arrest.
A DNRO is not the same as a living will, health care surrogate designation, or general advance directive. It serves a narrower purpose and must satisfy Florida's specific statutory and medical requirements.
Florida Consumer Lawyers can help clients understand how a DNRO fits with broader advance healthcare planning, including living wills and health care surrogate designations.
Because a DNRO is also a medical order, the decision whether it is appropriate should be discussed with the patient's physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
What Does a Florida DNRO Address?
A DNRO deals specifically with resuscitation after cardiac or respiratory arrest.
It should not be treated as a general instruction refusing all medical care. A person with a DNRO may still receive other appropriate medical treatment, comfort care, medications, oxygen, pain management, and other care depending on the circumstances and medical plan.
How Is a Florida DNRO Created?
Florida law requires a valid prehospital DNRO to be on the form adopted by the Florida Department of Health.
The form must be signed by the patient's physician or physician assistant and by the patient. If the patient is incapacitated, the patient's health care surrogate or proxy, court-appointed guardian, or an attorney-in-fact with appropriate healthcare authority may sign as permitted by statute.
Because this is a medical order, the physician or physician assistant's involvement is essential.
Why Does the Florida DNRO Form Matter?
Florida law allows emergency medical technicians and paramedics to withhold or withdraw resuscitation when they are presented with evidence of a valid order not to resuscitate that satisfies the statutory requirements.
That is why a general written statement saying “do not resuscitate” should not be assumed to function the same way as the official Florida DNRO process.
Is a DNRO an Advance Directive?
A DNRO is related to advance healthcare planning, but it is better understood as a separate medical order with a specific purpose.
A living will addresses wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures under specified medical circumstances.
A health care surrogate designation identifies who may make healthcare decisions.
A DNRO specifically addresses whether resuscitation should be attempted after cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Can a Florida DNRO Be Revoked or Changed?
A DNRO should not be described as permanently unchangeable. A patient who has capacity can revisit the decision, and the medical order can be changed or revoked through the appropriate process.
If the patient lacks capacity, questions about who has authority to act should be evaluated under the applicable healthcare-surrogate, guardianship, or power-of-attorney rules.
Because the DNRO is a medical order, any change should also be communicated promptly to the patient's healthcare providers and caregivers.
Who Can Sign a Florida DNRO If the Patient Lacks Capacity?
If the patient lacks capacity, Florida law allows certain authorized decision-makers to participate in the DNRO process depending on the circumstances.
That can include a properly authorized health care surrogate, proxy, guardian, or attorney-in-fact with appropriate healthcare authority.
Because authority can differ depending on the documents and legal status involved, the existing healthcare directives and any guardianship or power-of-attorney documents should be reviewed carefully.
DNRO vs. Living Will vs. Health Care Surrogate
These documents solve different problems.
DNRO — Addresses whether resuscitation should be attempted after cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Living Will — States wishes concerning life-prolonging procedures under specified medical conditions.
Health Care Surrogate Designation — Names the person who may make healthcare decisions when authorized to do so.
A person may have more than one of these documents because they are not interchangeable.
What Should Family Members Know About a DNRO?
If a DNRO is in place, close family members and caregivers should understand:
- That the order exists;
- Where the form is kept;
- Who the patient's healthcare surrogate is;
- Which physician or medical provider is involved; and
- Whether the patient also has a living will or other advance directives.
Clear communication can reduce confusion during an emergency.
Keep the DNRO Where It Can Be Found
A DNRO is only useful in an emergency if the people providing care can identify it.
The patient and family should follow the Florida Department of Health requirements and medical guidance regarding the official form, copies, and any approved identification device.
The goal is to make the order readily available to emergency personnel and caregivers when it is needed.
Questions to Discuss With Your Physician
Before signing a DNRO, the patient or authorized decision-maker should understand:
- What resuscitation means in the patient's medical circumstances;
- How the DNRO fits with the overall treatment plan;
- Whether the patient has other advance directives;
- What care will still be provided if resuscitation is not attempted; and
- Whether the patient's wishes have changed.
These are medical decisions and should be discussed with the treating physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
When Should a DNRO Be Reviewed?
A DNRO should be revisited if:
- The patient's medical condition changes;
- Treatment goals change;
- The patient changes their wishes;
- The healthcare surrogate or other authorized decision-maker changes; or
- The patient's broader healthcare directives are updated.
Any change should be coordinated with the patient's healthcare providers so that outdated instructions do not remain in circulation.
How Does a DNRO Fit Into Estate Planning?
A DNRO is not a substitute for an estate plan or broader advance directives.
Estate-planning documents can address who should make healthcare decisions, who should handle financial matters, and what the person wants to happen after death.
A DNRO addresses one specific medical issue: resuscitation.
Learn more about Florida advance directives →
Talk With a Florida Estate Planning Lawyer About Advance Directives
Florida Consumer Lawyers can help clients understand how a DNRO fits with living wills, health care surrogate designations, durable powers of attorney, and other estate-planning documents.
We do not position a DNRO as a stand-alone legal form service. Because it is a medical order, the decision whether to use one should also be discussed with the patient's physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Need Help Coordinating a DNRO With Your Estate Plan?
Start with a review of your healthcare directives, chosen decision-makers, and existing estate-planning documents.
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Or Call (813) 282-9330
DNRO decisions are highly personal and medically specific. The appropriate legal planning depends on the patient's wishes, existing advance directives, decision-making authority, and medical circumstances.