“Do Not Resuscitate Order” By Competent Adults: The Legal Position in the United States and Canada Perspectives

Abstract

This paper analyses the position of the full age and mentally competent patient in exercising his or her right of autonomy to refuse treatment by giving an advance will or directive to the doctors in the lights of the United States and Canada laws. Even though there is a presumption that Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; a treatment for cardiac arrest has to be given to the patient. The decision as to whether to withhold or withdraw such a treatment lies with health practitioners, and the court will only intervene on certain situations in the United States. However, in Canada, neither consent nor a court order in lieu is required for a medical doctor to issue a non-resuscitation direction where, in his or her judgment, the patient is in an irreversible vegetative state.