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Comfort One® is a program for people diagnosed with a
terminal illness who do not wish to have life-saving measures, such as
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed on them when their breathing
and heartbeat stop. It enables health care providers to easily identify
these patients who have expressed these wishes.
A qualified
patient is enrolled in the Comfort One®
Program by his or her physician who fills out a Program enrollment form.
The patient is given a copy of the form and a wallet card at the time of
enrollment in the Program. Some patients choose to purchase an optional
Comfort One®
bracelet, which provides additional evidence of Program enrollment.
Under the
statewide protocol, health care providers and EMS personnel can provide
palliative care (moderating pain and discomfort, making it easier to bear)
and emotional support, but CPR will not be started, and will be stopped if
already in progress on patients who are confirmed to be enrolled in the
Comfort One ®Program.
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