Do Not Resuscitate in Florida: Essentials & Communication

Course overview

This course gives healthcare staff a clear, practical framework for understanding Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders and Florida's Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO, DH Form 1896) so patient wishes are honored consistently across home, facility, transport, and emergency settings. You'll learn what DNR/DNI mean (and what they don't), how Florida's DNRO works with EMS, how POLST complements code-status orders, and how to document and communicate decisions clearly. Emphasis is on patient autonomy, informed consent, and comfort-focused care when appropriate, using plain language, step-by-step checklists, and real-world scenarios (Florida Statutes ch. 765; Florida Administrative Code r. 64J-2.018; Florida Department of Health; National POLST; American Heart Association; Institute of Medicine).