Which document is primarily used to define DNR decisions in a prehospital setting?

The primary document used to define Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) decisions in a prehospital setting is the Advance Health Care Directive. This document explicitly outlines an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment, including directives about resuscitation in the event of a medical emergency. It serves to communicate the patient's preferences to emergency responders and ensures that their wishes are honored.

The Advance Health Care Directive includes detailed instructions about types of medical interventions a person consents to or refuses, making it crucial for situations where immediate medical decision-making is required. EMS personnel rely on these documents to provide care that aligns with a patient's predetermined wishes, particularly in scenarios where resuscitation may contradict those wishes.

Although the California Medical Association guidelines may assist in understanding DNR protocols, they are not legal documents like the Advance Health Care Directive, which directly expresses the patient's preferences. Other options, such as an Emergency Department report or a state trauma registry, do not pertain to the patient's choices about resuscitation in the field and are therefore not suitable for determining DNR decisions.