DNR orders

[Faye Jones]

I am in New York State.  We have residents from the NYS mental health system who when admitted stated they wanted CPR and it was so documented.  Unfortunately for some of them we were unable to process a Health Care Proxy at that time due to lack of persons the resident could name as agent.  As time has passed they have aged, become ill and we are unable to obtain a DNR order due to their previously documented wishes.  How do other facilities handle these situations?  I know some facilities have ethics committees.  I would appreciate any comments, information, references that might help us figure out what to do.  We are currently anguishing over a lovely lady for who repeated hospitalizations, CPR etc would be so unfair and we just don’t know where to go with it.  MY DON and administrator say we can’t do anything but I am having a problem with that and am hoping.  Thanx in advance.   Faye.