• Charlie Christopher Hall, Kathleen Mark, David Oxenham, and Juliet Anne Spiller.
• Palliative Medicine, Marie Curie Hospice, Edinburgh, UK.
• BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2011 Sep 1;1(2):123-6.

BackgroundAn integrated 'Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation' (DNACPR) policy was implemented across Lothian in 2006 (for ease of reading the terminology 'DNACPR' has been used throughout the paper where the original Lothian Policy used 'DNAR'). Patients were, for the first time, able to be discharged home with their DNACPR form after discussion about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).AimsTo ascertain the number of patients who, following a discussion, were discharged with a DNACPR form and the reasons for not holding discussions with certain patients.MethodsTwo retrospective case note reviews of 50 patients discharged over two 4-month periods (2007 and 2009).ResultsThere was a high proportion (78-80%) of CPR discussions for patients discharged from the hospice. Reasons for not discussing CPR were: potential for excess distress (10-12% 2007 and 2009) and lack of time (4% both years). Of those discussing CPR on discharge, 90% took forms home in both years. The reasons patients did not take forms home were: form not taken in error (two patients in 2007); patients refusing a form at home (one and three patients in 2007 and 2009); form to be arranged by general practitioner and one incomplete discussion. The proportion of patients with forms already at home increased from 10% (2007) to 28% (2009).ConclusionIt is possible to discuss CPR with a high proportion of hospice patients prior to discharge from a hospice. Following the introduction of an integrated policy, more patients have DNACPR forms prior to admission. Most patients receiving specialist palliative care find DNACPR discussions acceptable and understand the benefits of having a DNACPR form.

12 keywords...

hide…