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Significant Care Issues
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
DNR means cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and/or other heroic health or life saving measures will not be started when cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs. After discussion with your doctor if you are able, you will make the DNR decision. If you are too ill to make that decision, your family or durable power of attorney for health care makes that decision with your doctor. The DNR order is not permanent and can be stopped if you change your mind and inform your doctor. The staff's concern for your medical needs and comfort will stay the same. You will be given whatever is needed to relieve pain and make you comfortable.
Ethics Advisory Committee
Sometimes patients or their caregivers have trouble making choices about what is best for their health care. Examples would be whether or not to perform heroic measures on a patient at the end of life or if a terminally ill person should have a feeding tube.
The Ethics Advisory Committee is a group of VA staff that meet to discuss these issues and make suggestions when the need arises. If you or your family have questions about the ethics of any treatment or other issue, you should talk with your treatment team. If you still have concerns, you may ask for a review of the issues by the Ethics Advisory Committee. To request this review, ask a member of your health care team for a referral to the Ethics Advisory Committee.
Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
Canandaigua VA Medical Center participates in ongoing programs for organ, eye, tissue, and body donations. You can give the gift of such donations to someone in need who would not otherwise lead a full life. Talk to your family members about organ and tissue donation so they know your wishes. Even if you have signed something, your family will be asked to give consent before donation can occur. Contact a member of your health care team to inform them of your wish to donate.
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