By Mary Standard
Sun Journal
SUMNER, Maine — A living will is not enough to prevent resuscitation when E911 is called, Buckfield Rescue Chief Lisa Buck said Thursday during a presentation for rescue workers.
Patients must have a form signed by a physician telling emergency rescue crews not to resuscitate if a person’s heart stops beating, Buck said, adding that the Maine Emergency Medical Services has developed a do-not-resuscitate form for anyone over 18 years of age who is capable of making an informed decision.
The so-called “directive form” is for the terminally ill, people with chronic conditions and the elderly who want their wishes honored, Buck said at a workshop on Comfort Care/Do-Not Resuscitate at the East Sumner Congregational Church.
An order form is basically the same, but has to be done annually and must be signed by the guardian of the patient who is unable to sign, she said.
“One of the most important things is for the patient to inform the family of their wishes and tell them where the paper work can be found,” she said.
The forms can be downloaded from: maine.gov/dps/ems/ applications_forms.html.
Buck explained that a person who has a physician-signed DNR form by their bed or in plain sight will allow the EMS personnel to open airways, use suction, administer oxygen, control bleeding, make the patient comfortable and be supportive to the patient and family. In event of cardiac arrest the EMS is authorized to withhold resuscitation, artificial ventilation, defibrillation and medications.
The new directive and order forms replace the orange forms used prior to 2007. These are still legal, Buck said.
Bracelets are available from www.medicalert.org.
Buck had electric blankets available from Community Concepts and announced that they are available for free. More information is on warmme.org.
The program was sponsored by Neighbors Care and Emergency Management Committee of Sumner.