DNR Orders Are Not Honored in Long-Term-Care Facilities

Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, even when present, are not universally followed by healthcare staff. These researchers assessed the response to cardiac arrest in patients with DNR . . .

Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders, even when present, are not universally followed by healthcare staff. These researchers assessed the response to cardiac arrest in patients with DNR orders at long-term-care (LTC) facilities. The investigators reviewed medical incident reports for emergency medical services-attended cardiac arrests at 466 facilities (31 nursing homes, 379 adult family homes, and 56 assisted-living centers) in Washington state over an 18-month period.

Caregivers called 911 for 392 patients in cardiac arrest, including 139 patients with DNR orders (35%). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted by EMS providers in 31% of cardiac-arrest patients with DNR orders at nursing homes, compared with 13% at adult family homes and none…

Reviewing Author

Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP