Bioethics Discussion Blog: 3 Questions in One Day: #3: Teachers and DNAR

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Friday, July 27, 2007

3 Questions in One Day: #3: Teachers and DNAR

I am posting 3 medical ethical questions today, all without any preliminary discussion by me but a reference for each so that my visitors, if they desire, can review the issue more completely before responding. However, if you have a strong feeling about the issue, you may go ahead and comment directly. ..Maurice.

Question #3: In the event of a cardio-pulmonary arrest should school teachers be required to follow "Do Not Attempt Resusitation" orders written by the parents of incurable, life-limiting, potentially terminally ill children who are still able to attend school? (Reference: American Journal of Bioethics, Jan-Feb 2005)

4 Comments:

At Sunday, July 29, 2007 6:44:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think a DNR is a contractual agreement between a medical professional and an individual. A school teacher does not gain membership in this contract and thus should adhere to the school guidelines of getting a child with cardiopulmonary arrest an ambulance and basic CPR Level C care (if trained).

 
At Sunday, July 29, 2007 7:32:00 PM, Blogger Maurice Bernstein, M.D. said...

But Gina, what about the emergency med techs who arrive with the ambulance. As part of the professional medical response team, shouldn't they abide by the "do not resusitate" order the school has in its possession? And what about the physicians in the emergency room. One might wonder if teachers performing CPR when there is a legal document against such an action could be held legally liable for battery. ..Maurice.

 
At Sunday, July 29, 2007 8:28:00 PM, Blogger My Own Woman said...

I have to a agree with the doctor on this one. A teacher does, in a sense have guardianship over the student. If the parents had a guardian over the child while they were at work, the caregiver would be obliged to follow the guidelines of DNR set down by the parents. Just my humble opinion.

But of course, that leads me to my next question in my mind. Do teachers really know when a child can no longer be helped or simply need a few things to get them back on the path of healing to the best of their ability.

Oh my, how is that for talking out of both sides of my mouth?

 
At Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:33:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Shouldn't the DNAR be specific for this information? It seems like a situation where either case would be seemingly ethical and the school or teacher should have a exact answer from the parents.

 

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