Should a tattoo determine life or death? What would you have done?

Question

Earlier this year a 70 year old unconscious man was rushed into the hospital with no identification. On his chest he had “Do Not Resuscitate” tattooed with his signature right under.

Doctors decided to follow his wishes and didn’t resuscitate him however that decision caused some backlash. People argued that his tattoo alone wasn’t enough to not save his life. What if the tattoo was from years ago and he no longer felt the same way? What if he got the tattoo when he was depressed or drunk? Should tattoos even be able to influence medical decisions like life or death? 
However, other people argued that it is wrong to bring someone back to life against their wishes. If the tattoo had been a mistake, it would have been removed, crossed out or something. Also, his signature made the tattoo valid enough to honor. 
What are your thoughts?

Answer

Even the doctors had a tough time and decided to ignore the tattoo and administer antibiotics that would save his life. it wasn't until late, that an official made them aware of a different point of view- a tattoo is something u GIVE PERMISSION to have done. and at that point, they stopped antibiotics and requested a DNR form, that was ultimately found in his records , making the decision of letting him die naturally, a very easy one. unfortunately,  a tattoo, can be part of someone's hard past and if that person changed its views and had no means of re touching the tattoo, letting him die and finding out there's no LEGALLY SIGNED DNR PAPERS, would end up in a big lawsuit against the hospital. a tattoo, no matter how obvious it is, it's not a legal signed piece of paper. so a tattoo,  no matter how obvious,  it needs to be disregarded and the hospital staff needs to find if there's a legal signed piece of paper. if not, they continue treatment.  if there's is, the pacient gets their wishes

Answer

If he had been resuscitated, even without a legally signed DNR, I have no doubt that he would have sued and won.

Answer

My husband is trauma surgeon and vehemently says he would obey the tattoo. 
I'm a nurse and i argued that I wouldn't obey the tattoo because
 1) it's not a recognized, authorized method of expressing End-of-life preferences by a court of law (which all of us healthcare providers have to be constantly cognizant of)
2) we have no idea if the patient's preferences may have changed since they got the tattoo.
3) we don't even know if they meant it in the way we want to interpret it; this is a stretch, but maybe they sing for a band called "Do Not Resuscitate" or they named their cat that or something. Seriously, I've seen crazier shit than that. Who am I to assume when it comes to something as crucial as a person's life being saved vs. respecting wishes about being allowed to die? 
My husband's response: "if you get a 'Do Not Resucitate' tattoo on your chest then end up deciding someday that actually you DO want heroic measures to be taken if your life is in jeopardy, you need to wake up each morning and use a sharpie to cross out the tattoo completely." 🙄

Answer

If he'd changed his mind couldn't he just go and get the tattoo altered?  Example, a big line through it with "void" stamped over it or something.  I don't think they should be ignored.  In an emergency whoever is helpibg him won't have time (or won't think) to ask for DNR paperwork.  The tattoo is good for situations like that.

Answer

You should do what they wish and not what you want. DNR exists for a reason. Simply call or bring the person to a doctor for them to officially say they are dead and they will take care of it from there on. 
There's no complications. Just do what you can and move on with YOUR life. 
A tattoo was put on their skin by THEIR choice. They choose to not be resuscitated. Let them be.

Answer

I said resuscitate him, because a person can get a tattoo of whatever they want. Unless they sign an official dnr, I wouldn't risk the life.

Answer

I’d listen to the tattoo.

Answer

I would’ve wanted to save him, but probably wouldn’t have. I mean he got the tattoo for a reason and if he would’ve had a change of heart then i feel like he definitely would’ve gotten the tattoo removed or altered

Answer

DNR tattoos are very common where I'm from. They are put there for a reason and should not be ignored. The hospital should be sued for not following his wishes immediately.

Answer

I feel like I’ve known people who would’ve gotten this tattoo as a joke.. so that’s my hesitation in honoring it

Should a tattoo determine life or death? What would you have done?

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