Nevada DNR Identification
The Nevada DNR Identification (aka EMS-DNR or Pre-Hospital DNR) is for patients who do not reside in a health care institution such as a hospital or nursing home, but would nevertheless like a Do Not Resuscitate order (DNR). A Do Not Resuscitate order (DNR) is a document that limits efforts to resuscitate an individual should they experience respiratory or cardiac arrest (heart attack). This document instructs Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to provide appropriate supportive care, but to withhold life-saving treatment. If EMS is called, but the DNR patient is not in cardiac or respiratory arrest, appropriate emergency care will be provided.
A qualified patient must be 18 years of age or older. They must have executed an Advance Directive to direct the withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment and their physician must determine them to have a terminal condition.
The patient (or their legal proxy) and their physician must complete an application and submit the application with a $5.00 application fee to the Bureau of Licensure and Certification, Emergency Medical Services Section. The patient will then receive a Nevada DNR Identification document issued by the Nevada State Health Division and an Nevada DNR Identification card to carry with them at all times.
It is important that patients with a Nevada DNR Identification card notify friends and family with whom they spend time of the location of the card and documentation so that, should an emergency occur, they will be able to follow the patient’s wishes and alert EMS personnel.
This is a very serious undertaking and should be carefully considered by the patient and discussed with their loved ones and their physician.
For more information or an Nevada DNR Identification application, contact Nevada State Emergency Medical Services at 775.687.3065. or visit http://health2k.state.nv.us/ems