Clinician perspectives regarding the do-not-resuscitate order. 2013

Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

OBJECTIVE While data exist regarding the frequency and timing of the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in children, little is known about clinician attitudes and behaviors regarding this order. OBJECTIVE To identify clinician attitudes regarding the meaning, implication, and timing of the DNR order for pediatric patients. METHODS Physicians and nurses from practice settings where advance care planning typically takes place were surveyed regarding their attitudes and behaviors about DNR orders. RESULTS In total, 107 physicians and 159 nurses responded to the survey (N = 266). There was substantial variability in the interpretation of the DNR order. Most clinicians (66.9%) believe that a DNR order indicates limitation of resuscitative measures only on cardiopulmonary arrest. In reality, however, more than 85% believe that care changes beyond response to cardiopulmonary arrest, varying from increased attention to comfort to less clinician attentiveness. In addition, most clinicians reported that resuscitation status discussions take place later in the illness course than is ideal. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians use the DNR order not only as a guide for therapeutic decisions during a cardiopulmonary arrest but also as a surrogate for broader treatment directives. Most clinicians believe that DNR discussions should take place earlier than they actually do. Interventions aimed at improving clinician knowledge and skills in advance care discussions as well as the development of orders that address overall goals of care may improve care for children with serious illness.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009726 Nurses Professionals qualified by graduation from an accredited school of nursing and by passage of a national licensing examination to practice nursing. They provide services to patients requiring assistance in recovering or maintaining their physical or mental health. Nursing Personnel,Personnel, Nursing,Registered Nurses,Nurse,Nurse, Registered,Nurses, Registered,Registered Nurse
D010820 Physicians Individuals licensed to practice medicine. Physician
D001900 Boston City located in Massachusetts.
D003625 Data Collection Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data. Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D003657 Decision Making The process of making a selective intellectual judgment when presented with several complex alternatives consisting of several variables, and usually defining a course of action or an idea. Credit Assignment,Assignment, Credit,Assignments, Credit,Credit Assignments
D005260 Female Females
D006323 Heart Arrest Cessation of heart beat or MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION. If it is treated within a few minutes, heart arrest can be reversed in most cases to normal cardiac rhythm and effective circulation. Asystole,Cardiac Arrest,Cardiopulmonary Arrest,Arrest, Cardiac,Arrest, Cardiopulmonary,Arrest, Heart,Asystoles
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001291 Attitude of Health Personnel Attitudes of personnel toward their patients, other professionals, toward the medical care system, etc. Staff Attitude,Attitude, Staff,Attitudes, Staff,Health Personnel Attitude,Health Personnel Attitudes,Staff Attitudes

Related Publications

Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
May 1983, Annals of internal medicine,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
January 2001, Anaesthesia,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
June 1995, Singapore medical journal,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
December 2012, The American journal of hospice & palliative care,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
February 1991, The Medical journal of Australia,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
August 2017, Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
January 1991, The Hospice journal,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
May 2003, Critical care medicine,
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
February 1996, BMJ (Clinical research ed.),
Amy Sanderson, and David Zurakowski, and Joanne Wolfe
November 1998, Lancet (London, England),
Copied contents to your clipboard!