This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Mirza, A. Articles by Ellison, N. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mirza, A. Articles by Ellison, N. M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not addressed in the admitting medical records for the majority of patients who undergo CPR in the hospital

Department of Internal Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania

Rishi Kad, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania

Neil M. Ellison, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is routinely performed on patients who develop cardiopulmonary arrest in the hospital. In some situations, it is performed on terminally or critically ill patients where death is predicted to be inevitable despite CPR. Since prior consent is not required for this procedure, CPR may be performed without patient consent or foreknowledge. Many of these patients may not want CPR if the anticipated outcome is reviewed with them.

This study investigated the frequency of occurrence of a CPR discussion at the time of hospital admission for patients who undergo CPR during hospitalization. Results showed that CPR is infrequently addressed in the hospital orders or medical records in patients who undergo CPR during their hospital stay. In addition, the severity of illness at the time of admission does not appear to influence whether physicians discuss CPR with patients and their families.

Key Words: CPR • DNR • patient’s rights • consent

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, Vol. 22, No. 1, 20-25 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/104990910502200107


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Sibbald MSc, J. Downar MD, and L. Hawryluck MD MSc Perceptions of "futile care" among caregivers in intensive care units Can. Med. Assoc. J., November 6, 2007; 177(10): 1201 - 1208. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. K. Heyland, C. Frank, D. Groll, D. Pichora, P. Dodek, G. Rocker, A. Gafni, and for the Canadian Researchers at the End of Life Ne Understanding cardiopulmonary resuscitation decision making: perspectives of seriously ill hospitalized patients and family members. Chest, August 1, 2006; 130(2): 419 - 428. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]