# If you have a D.N.R. on file, will a hospital refuse you a ventilator? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [April 12, 2020, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602 "2020-04-12T03:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2020, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/21 "2020-04-12T23:04:30Z")
I was asked specific questions as to what I would like. I checked some boxes and not others. I also told my family exactly what my wishes during this last event were. It’s a hard conversation to have. (An aside: **Qad** , how is your prison inmates doing? We have a prison in Arkansas where 400 inmates and employees have tested positive. Lots of active illnesses… and community infections as well. It’s bad. You should start a thread. I’d be interested in knowing, no doubt others would as well.) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/22 "2020-04-13T00:09:57Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > (An aside: **Qad** , how is your prison inmates doing? We have a prison in Arkansas where 400 inmates and employees have tested positive. Lots of active illnesses… and community infections as well. It’s bad. You should start a thread. I’d be interested in knowing, no doubt others would as well.) Over 24,000 inmates, so far 5 tested positive. 12 staff positive. Right now we’re containing it. haven’t lost anyone yet. One day at a time. Things can turn on a dime. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/23 "2020-04-13T17:40:03Z")
Majority of people with COVID-19 put on ventilators don’t survive. It’s not the panacea of surviving this thing. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/24 "2020-04-13T18:54:15Z")
I think that the current rate is about 50% but really, given how early we still are in the infection-illness-recovery cycle for literally hundreds of thousands of people it’s still a bit early to put a final number on it. There might be indicators/traits that would highlight those who might actually benefit from a ventilator as opposed to those who simply won’t. My feeling is that if there’s a decent chance of survival _and recovery_ (even if not a perfect recovery) I’d want a ventilator if I could get one. If that’s highly unlikely I might just prefer to be made comfortable and shuffle off this mortal coil. It is a question that is currently plaguing me as I fully expect to come down with this disease due to being exposed at work and I’d like to be able to give my next-of-kin my thoughts about that before they have to make life or death decisions for me if things get that bad. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/25 "2020-04-13T21:22:35Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > And that’s my issue, hearing that \ people, with underlying conditions are not expected to do well with this…I mean where is the determination made? "Oh, he’s 71, with a DNR. I am NOT suggesting that that’s how it works, and when we signed them (we both have them) Covid and overcrowded hospitals and a shortage of equipment was not exactly driving our decision making. But now I just wonder. > > This is why I take sleeping pills now, I swear to og It sounds like you might be worrying about the issues that are seen when the hospitals are overwhelmed, and there simply aren’t enough ventilators for patients in need. In those situations, hospitals will have to make calls about which patients have the best chance for surviving. If that is not the case where you are, I don’t think you need to be concerned. You should take steps to protect yourself, however. Yes, many people have mild cases, but the serious cases are bad. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Over 24,000 inmates, so far 5 tested positive. 12 staff positive. Right now we’re containing it. haven’t lost anyone yet. > > One day at a time. Things can turn on a dime. You are now on my worry/good thoughts list. I hope you, and your team, and the prisoners, stay well. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/26 "2020-04-13T21:42:34Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I think that the current rate is about 50% but really, given how early we still are in the infection-illness-recovery cycle for literally hundreds of thousands of people it’s still a bit early to put a final number on it. An article last week about NYC said [80% on vents die](https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-ventilators-some-doctors-try-reduce-use-new-york-death-rate-2020-4), 20% live. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/27 "2020-04-13T22:20:48Z")
I’d be willing to take a 20% chance at life if the alternative is death, but I’d also want someone standing by to say “enough” and let me go if it becomes apparent I’m not going to recover and we’re just delaying the inevitable. Deciding when someone gets to that point is, of course, a medical judgement call. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/28 "2020-04-14T00:46:06Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’d be willing to take a 20% chance at life if the alternative is death, but I’d also want someone standing by to say “enough” and let me go if it becomes apparent I’m not going to recover and we’re just delaying the inevitable. Deciding when someone gets to that point is, of course, a medical judgement call. And with no family members anywhere around ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/29 "2020-04-14T00:47:43Z")
> [@ratatoskK](#): > > To the OP: Do you mean an advance directive (a.k.a. living will), or an actual DNR order? Hmmmm good point. I hadn’t remembered the difference and as a widow X2 I should have. Will 2check our paperwork ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2020, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602/30 "2020-04-14T01:21:59Z")
> [@DummyGladHands](#): > > And with no family members anywhere around I am currently updating my powers of attorney for both medical and property/finance so in the event I can no longer speak for myself those making these decisions on my behalf will have some advance directive from me to aid in decision-making. Something all of use should do, but which it is all too easy to avoid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-have-a-d-n-r-on-file-will-a-hospital-refuse-you-a-ventilator/851602.md?page=1)