NEW GUIDELINES FOR DO-NOT-RESUSCITATE ORDERS.

The American Medical Association has updated its guidelines on the appropriate use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. These guidelines, issued by the AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, assert that efforts should be made to resuscitate patients except when CPR would be futile or not compatible with the wishes or best interests of the patient. Physicians are urged to discuss the possibility of cardiopulmonary arrest with patients at high risk of cardiac or respiratory failure, and should generally honor the wishes of the patient or surrogate decision maker.

"However," the guidelines continue, "if, in the judgment of the treating physician, CPR would be futile, the treating physician may ente…