Florida Assisted Living Facilities Practice Exam

What could happen if an ALF requires a do not resuscitate order for all residents?

1. The policy could be exempted by family requests

2. The facility could be penalized and lose its license

3. This requirement is only for hospice patients

4. The requirement must be disclosed in policies

The correct answer is: The facility could be penalized and lose its license

The implementation of a "do not resuscitate" (DNR) order requirement for all residents in an assisted living facility could lead to significant legal and ethical implications for the facility. If an ALF enforces a blanket DNR policy without individualizing care based on resident needs, it could be seen as a violation of residents' rights and autonomy. In many states, including Florida, health care facilities are required to respect the wishes of residents regarding their medical care, which includes resuscitation preferences. If a facility mandates that all residents have a DNR in place, this could contravene regulations that protect individuals’ rights to receive life-saving treatment unless they have explicitly opted out through a personal DNR order. Consequently, such a policy might lead to regulatory scrutiny and could result in penalties, including the possibility of losing the facility’s license to operate, as it could be deemed as providing inadequate or inappropriate care. In contrast, while family requests may influence health care decisions, they do not negate the fundamental rights of the residents. The assertion that this requirement is only for hospice patients reflects a misunderstanding of the broader context of resident care in assisted living facilities. Moreover, while policies should indeed be disclosed, simply informing residents or their family members of