Resuscitation is the attempt to make the heart beat and the lungs breathe again after they have stopped. This is done with CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,) electric shock to the chest, repeated chest compressions, placement of a breathing tube down
the throat and into the lungs and use of a breathing machine (ventilator).

The medical condition of some patients makes resuscitation inadvisable. A patient may have complex medical problems or have a terminal condition. Resuscitation has risks and complications. A physician may advise against it during discussions with a
patient or Health Care Surrogate.

During a patient's stay at a hospital, a physician may write a Do Not Resuscitate Order which is in effect only for the current hospital stay. A Do Not Resuscitate is a physician’s order not to resuscitate if a person goes into cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
It is part of the prescribed medical treatment plan and must have a physician’s signature.

If a patient or Health Care Surrogate would like a Do Not Resuscitate Order to be in effect while living at home, with hospice care, in a nursing home or an assisted living facility, etc., a physician and the patient or Health Care Surrogate can sign Florida State Department of Health Do Not Resuscitate Order (Form 1896). This form directs paramedics and health care providers NOT to perform CPR. The signed form must be in clear sight, such as on a refrigerator door or at the head or foot of the bed so the paramedics will see it. Paramedics can transport the patient to the Emergency Room where comfort care and pain relief will be provided.

This document does not require witnesses. A Do Not Resuscitate Order frees a health care provider from legal action since the result of not performing CPR may result in death.  It can only be signed by a terminally ill patient or Health Care Surrogate and must also be signed by a physician. This form is not for those who are in good health and concerned about treatment should they become ill.