"Do not resuscitate"

My very frail elderly mother was admitted to hospital for a blood transfusion. When I was trying to arrange for her to come home, I rang the ward to find out whether she had seen the doctor. A nurse told me that the doctor had seen her and had signed an order saying that my mother was not for resuscitation. I would have to take this form home and make it available to be seen in the event of paramedics being called in future.

When I got to the ward and saw the form it clearly stated that the doctor had discussed this decision with me and my name was quoted.

I have two sisters and one of my concerns was that they would see this form and take it at face value - in other words conclude that I had had this discussion and made this decision without reference to them. This could have caused very ill feeling in a family that likes to share decision making. In addition, although my name was printed, the doctors name was illegible.

The experience was upsetting on a number of levels. My feeling is that these forms are being filled in without any consideration of the impact on families.