EMS PROVIDER RESPONSIBILITIES
§ 1051.51. Implementation of out-of-hospital DNR order.
(a) Display of order, bracelet or necklace. An EMS provider may not provide CPR to a patient who is experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest if an out-of-hospital DNR order, bracelet or necklace is displayed with the patient or the patient’s surrogate presents the EMS provider with an out-of-hospital DNR order for the patient, and neither the patient nor the patient’s surrogate acts to revoke the order at that time. When an EMS provider observes an out-of-hospital DNR order without also observing an out-of-hospital DNR bracelet or necklace, the EMS provider shall implement the out-of-hospital DNR order only if it contains original signatures.
(b) Discovery after CPR initiated. If after initiating CPR an EMS provider becomes aware of an out-of-hospital DNR order that is effective under subsection (a), the EMS provider shall discontinue CPR.
(c) Prehospital practitioner uncertainty. If a prehospital practitioner is uncertain as to whether an out-of-hospital DNR order has been revoked for a patient who is experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest, the prehospital practitioner shall provide CPR to the patient subject to the following:
(1) If the prehospital practitioner is in contact with a medical command physician prior to initiating CPR, the prehospital practitioner shall initiate or not initiate CPR as directed by the medical command physician.
(2) If the prehospital practitioner is in contact with a medical command physician after initiating CPR, the prehospital practitioner shall continue or not continue CPR as directed by the medical command physician.
(d) Discontinuation of CPR not initiated by prehospital practitioner. If CPR had been initiated for the patient before a prehospital practitioner arrived at the scene, and the prehospital practitioner determines that an out-of-hospital DNR order is effective under subsection (a), the prehospital practitioner may not discontinue the CPR without being directed to do so by a medical command physician.
(e) AED good Samaritan. If an individual who is given good Samaritan civil immunity protection when using an automated external defibrillator (AED) under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2 (relating to good Samaritan civil immunity for use of automated external defibrillators) is uncertain as to whether an out-of-hospital DNR order has been revoked for a patient who is experiencing cardiac arrest, the individual may provide CPR to the patient as permitted by 42 Pa.C.S. § 8331.2, but shall discontinue CPR if directed by a medical command physician directly or as relayed by a prehospital practitioner.
(f) Providing comfort and alleviating pain. When a prehospital practitioner complies with an out-of-hospital DNR order, the prehospital practitioner, within the practitioner’s scope of practice, shall provide other medical interventions necessary and appropriate to provide comfort to the patient and alleviate the patient’s pain, unless otherwise directed by the patient or the prehospital practitioner’s medical command physician.
Source The provisions of this § 1051.51 amended February 6, 2004, effective February 7, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 677. Immediately preceeding text appears at serial pages (294023) to (294024).
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 1051.52 (relating to procedure when both advance directive and out-of-hospital DNR order are present); and 28 Pa. Code § 1051.101 (relating to recognition of other states’ out-of-hospital DNR orders).
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