Health Care Leaders Discuss DNR Regulations and Emergency Response Challenges

The Palliative Care Advisory Council convened on August 1, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding palliative care practices in Connecticut. The meeting, facilitated by the Department of Public Health, focused on enhancing training compliance, modernizing outdated regulations, and improving communication among healthcare providers.

The session began with discussions on the integration of training into a systems learning management platform. A subcommittee highlighted the need to eliminate gaps in training compliance for healthcare providers, aiming to expand the scope of eligible certified professionals. The CT Train platform, utilized by public health agencies statewide, was identified as a key resource for achieving these goals.

Council members expressed enthusiasm about restarting initiatives to ensure that healthcare providers are adequately trained in using medical orders, particularly in light of patient preferences regarding DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) bracelets. Concerns were raised about the antiquated nature of current DNR regulations, prompting a call for a review and potential modernization of these processes. Members agreed that updating these regulations is essential to better serve the community and align with contemporary practices.

The conversation shifted to the challenges faced by emergency medical services (EMS) in recognizing DNR bracelets. Instances were reported where EMS personnel failed to acknowledge the bracelets, leading to complications in patient transfers. Council members emphasized the importance of tracking these occurrences to identify trends and improve education for EMS providers.

To address these issues, members proposed creating a centralized reporting system for incidents related to DNR orders and bracelets. This system would facilitate data collection and analysis, allowing for targeted educational efforts to enhance compliance and understanding among healthcare providers.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to improving palliative care practices in Connecticut. Key takeaways included the need for updated training systems, modernization of DNR regulations, and enhanced communication between healthcare providers and EMS. The council plans to continue these discussions in future meetings, focusing on actionable steps to address the identified challenges.