Challenges of do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders

摘要

To the Editor: Dr Blinderman and colleagues discussed a default position of not performing CPR for imminently dying patients in US hospitals unless consent to opt-out is ob-tained. Similarly, a physician may deem CPR futile and may wish to enter a do-not-attempt-resuscitation order over the objections of the patient or family. Although it may be ethically and medically justified in certain situations, the bulk of case law and statutory interpretation does not support the use of such a hospital policy.