Delaware medical journal
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Delaware medical journal · Apr 2012
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation inpatient outcomes in cancer patients in a large community hospital.
Patients and clinicians have unrealistic expectations when it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Only a small percentage of patients survive a cardiopulmonary arrest and those that do live, still have a high likelihood of dying in the hospital. The quality of life for those patients who do survive to discharge is often severely diminished. For cancer patients, the statistics may be even worse. ⋯ Overall the rate of survival of cancer patients in a community hospital after undergoing CPR is similar to what is described in the recent literature. The prognosis remains poor for cancer patients undergoing CPR. Therefore, clinicians should and are now mandated by law (in certain states) to engage in honest discussions using data concerning end of life care and expectations.