Do you ever wonder what would happen if you suddenly became critically ill or injured and needed medical attention? Would you want doctors to do everything they could to save your life, even if that meant undergoing painful and invasive treatments, or would you prefer to not be resuscitated and to let nature take its course? These are difficult questions to consider, but they’re important ones. If you don’t want to be resuscitated, then you need to make sure you have a properly executed do not resuscitate (DNR) form on file. To help you get started, we’ve gathered a list of 9 sample DNR form templates that you can download for free. Each form is slightly different, so you’ll need to read them carefully to determine which one is right for you. Once you’ve made your decision, print out the form, fill it out completely, and give it to your doctor, family members, and anyone else who might need to know your wishes. The first form we found is a PDF document that has a simple layout and is easy to understand. The title of the document is “Emergency Do not Resuscitate Form,” and it includes information about the patient’s name, contact information, and medical history. There is also a section where the patient can indicate whether or not they want to be resuscitated, as well as any other instructions they want the medical staff to follow. The second form on our list is a printable DNR form that includes a section for the patient or their representative to sign. In addition to the patient’s basic information, the form asks for details about their medical history, including any allergies or medications they are taking. There is also a section where the patient can indicate their wishes regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other life-sustaining treatments. The third form we found is specifically for residents of Massachusetts. It includes the same basic information as the previous two forms but also includes a section for the patient’s physician to sign. This form is designed to be used in conjunction with a comfort care order, and it includes guidelines for the use of sedatives and pain medications. The fourth form is a fillable template that you can use to create your own DNR form from scratch. It includes a section for basic patient information as well as fields for specific instructions regarding resuscitation and other treatments. The fifth form on our list is specifically for residents of Vermont. It includes the same basic information as the other forms but also includes a section for the patient’s healthcare representative or surrogate decision-maker to sign. This form is intended to be used in conjunction with the Vermont Advance Directive form. The sixth form is a printable DNR form that includes a section for the patient’s healthcare proxy or representative to sign. It also includes information about the patient’s wishes regarding the use of CPR and other life-sustaining treatments. The seventh form on our list is a printable DNR form specifically for residents of Michigan. It includes the same basic information as the other forms but also includes a section for the patient to indicate whether or not they want to be placed on a mechanical ventilator or receive artificial nutrition and hydration. The eighth form we found is a free download of the Kansas DNR form. It includes the same basic information as the other forms but also includes a section for the patient to indicate whether or not they want to receive palliative care or hospice care. The ninth and final form on our list is another printable DNR form specifically for residents of Michigan. It includes the same basic information as the other Michigan DNR form but has a slightly different layout. No matter which DNR form you choose to use, it’s important that you discuss your wishes with your loved ones ahead of time. Make sure they understand your wishes and know where to find your DNR form in case of an emergency. Having a DNR form on file can help take the burden off of your family members and medical staff by allowing them to follow your wishes and provide the care you want, or don’t want, in the event of an emergency.
