DNO in a medical context stands for "Do-Not-Operate." It refers to a section that could be added to medical order forms to document a patient's wishes regarding invasive interventions, particularly at the end of life.
Understanding DNO in End-of-Life Care
The concept of DNO arises in the context of forms like:
- MOLST: Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
- POLST: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
These forms are designed to help ensure that a patient's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment are respected.
The Role of DNO
The abstract suggests that adding a DNO section to MOLST/POLST forms would provide a more complete record of a patient's preferences. This is especially relevant concerning invasive procedures.
Example Scenario
Imagine a patient with a terminal illness who does not want to undergo any further surgeries or invasive procedures, regardless of their potential benefit. By including a DNO section on their MOLST/POLST form, their healthcare providers will be explicitly informed of this wish, and it must be followed.
