Incidence and content of written guidelines for "do not resuscitate" orders. Survey at six different somatic hospitals in Oslo
Søvik, O.; Naess, A.C.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 117(29): 4206-4209
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 9441461 Document Number: 478228
This paper presents the incidence of, and contents of guidelines for do-not-resuscitate orders (DNR orders) in somatic hospital departments in Oslo. Only five out of 14 departments had written guidelines. There was a wide range of contents concerning illness criteria, decision-making responsibility and patient and family participation in the decision-making process. We find that there is a need for written guidelines for the use of DNR orders and present a template for the appropriate use of such orders. The proper use of DNR orders will prevent futile cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hopefully bring about a discussion on the ethical aspects of treatment decisions in hospital departments.