WHAT IS A PREHOSPITAL MEDICAL CARE DIRECTIVE, AND IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?

Arizona law gives you the opportunity to use a document called a prehospital medical care directive, also known as a “do-not-resuscitate” instruction or “DNR.” I have been asked about it a number of times recently, perhaps indicating greater awareness of, and interest in, this particular creature of Arizona law.  The law on it is actually quite clear, although it has in the past seemed that relatively few people are aware of it.  As I said, perhaps that is changing.
The term “prehospital medical care directive” is actually not very accurate, since the directive deals only with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.  The term “do not resuscitate” is actually a much more accurate description of what it’s about.
To learn more about this powerful method of specifying what life-saving medical treatment you do or don’t want, read my Estate Planning Law Report on the subject.  If you would like help with putting together a plan for your health care decisions, call me for a consultation.