Man with Do Not Resuscitate Tatoo - honour or not

[Brillopad]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/doctors-miami-university-do-not-resuscitate-tattoo-hospital-patient-a8086201.html

Interesting story. Very unusual thing to do but it got him his wish. Sad he felt that way but I think they did the right thing respecting his wishes, especially given his age and the fact his wishes were later confirmed by a document.

Interested in peoples’ views on this.

[Ashley.]

It's interesting, because he had an official document but this wasn't known to them at the time they made the decision not to resuscitate the man. I believe that they shouldn't have made the decision without having the document presented to them in the first place.

[Brillopad]

It's interesting, because he had an official document but this wasn't known to them at the time they made the decision not to resuscitate the man. I believe that they shouldn't have made the decision without having the document presented to them in the first place.

It is a difficult one and I see where you’re coming from. I think if he had been younger and without a document I would feel that way, but given his age I feel he knew his own mind and would have got the tatoo removed if it was something he had had done years ago as maybe some kind of prank.

[Vicky.]

I think the patients wishes should be respected.

I didn't know you could actually make it official...I have always said to both my parents and later my husband, that if I ever have an accident and they have me alive on machines and I am going to be severely disabled, braindead or whatnot, that I want the machines turned off as its not a 'life' that I want to have. I hope they would honour this, but if there is a way to make it official, I would like to do this.

[Withano]

It's interesting, because he had an official document but this wasn't known to them at the time they made the decision not to resuscitate the man. I believe that they shouldn't have made the decision without having the document presented to them in the first place.

Same... I think.. it is a tricky one, but like, I wouldnt kick a person if they had a tattoo saying 'kick me' etc etc. So, I'm pretty sure this is where I stand.

[smudgie]

I think the patients wishes should be respected.

I didn't know you could actually make it official...I have always said to both my parents and later my husband, that if I ever have an accident and they have me alive on machines and I am going to be severely disabled, braindead or whatnot, that I want the machines turned off as its not a 'life' that I want to have. I hope they would honour this, but if there is a way to make it official, I would like to do this.


Google Living will.

[DemolitionRed]

If that had been in the UK the tat would of been ignored. People often have tattoos that they later regret.

In this case it turned out to be the correct thing to do but they took a chance and that's not something UK doctors would do.

[user104658]

It's very risky because if there turns out not to be legal backup for the tat... The medical staff could find themselves out if a job, being sued by the family, or even being charged.

[Jamie89]

It's interesting, because he had an official document but this wasn't known to them at the time they made the decision not to resuscitate the man. I believe that they shouldn't have made the decision without having the document presented to them in the first place.

This for me as well

A case study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine described doctors discovering a diabetic man who was in hospital for a leg amputation but had "D.N.R" tattooed on his chest.

In that case, the patient claimed to have had the tattoo after losing a bet and told doctors he did not think anyone would take it seriously.

You wouldn't expect someone to get a tattoo like that if it wasn't their wishes but you can't just assume when it's something like this, there has to be certainty.