Dea on arrival or DOA is a term used to indicate that a patient was found to be dead upon the arrival of professional medical assistance such as a hospital, often in the form of first responders such as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or police. In some jurisdictions, first responders must first consult with an online physician before officially pronouncing a patient deceased, but once cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initiated, it must be continued until a physician can pronounce the patient dead.