The Western journal of medicine
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We observed 55 inpatients with "do-not-resuscitate" (DNR) orders to determine what happened to their DNR status after hospital discharge. All were admitted to the medical service of a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Of the 55 patients, 16 died in the hospital, 10 were discharged to inpatient hospice units, and 1 was transferred to an acute care hospital. ⋯ Unwanted resuscitation is as undesirable at home as in the hospital. Physicians should discuss future resuscitation procedures with patients who have DNR orders at the time of hospital discharge. Physicians, paramedic service directors, and policymakers also should develop protocols and standardized home DNR orders so that paramedics can honor the wishes of patients in the prehospital setting.