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acts as the physician’s standing orders. Paramedics will comply with the instructions
provided on a POST form, but will not generally follow directives in a living will.
10 What is Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)?
This means that you do not wish to receive life support or resuscitation if an
organ fails.
11 Is a Living Will the same as a “Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)” order?
No. A living will is a legal document that allows an individual to state whether or not
they wish to be kept alive by artificial means if they are terminally ill, in a persistent
vegetative state, or in an end stage condition.
A DNR is an order signed by a doctor, and placed in your medical records, which
indicates that you should not be resuscitated for cardiac arrest (heart stops) or
respiratory arrest (breathing stops).
12 Does an Idaho Living Will apply if a woman is pregnant?
Idaho law states that if you are pregnant and your doctor or any other person
knows that you are pregnant, the living will cannot go into effect. Life-sustaining
measures will continue regardless of any directive to the contrary until the
pregnancy is complete.
13 Can your doctor be sued or prosecuted for not carrying out the provisions of
an Idaho Living Will?
No. In Idaho, a physician or healthcare facility that doesn’t adhere to a living will by
withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining procedures will not be subject to any
civil or criminal liability.
14 If you do not have a Living Will, and are unable to communicate, can a family
member still make healthcare decisions on your behalf?
Yes. Idaho Code 39-4504 provides a list that allows for an individual to deny, or consent
to care, for a second individual who has been rendered unable to communicate. To
avoid this, a living will or other written directive from you is recommended.
15 Does a Living Will have to be witnessed or notarized to be valid?
No. It is not necessary to have someone witness you execute your living will or to
have your signature notarized. Having your signature on your living will witnessed
or notarized is a good idea, and certainly allowed, especially if it has to be used in
another state.
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