Awareness of Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order among Medical Students in Universiti Sains Malaysia

@#Introduction: Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is a type of Advance Medical Directive (AMD) that documents a patient’s wishes or desire to refrain from Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), especially in the terminally ill patient. It is a sensitive issue in patient care and less is known on medical students awareness on the area. Aim: This study assessed the opinion, knowledge, awareness and familiarity toward Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order among undergraduate medical students from year 1 to 5 in Universiti Sains Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 250 undergraduate medical students using an online questionnaire on awareness towards DNR orders. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were applied to examine the distribution and association of DNR awareness among medical students with year of study, gender, race and religion. Results: The study indicated that most participants (84.4%) were familiar with DNR orders. There was no significant association between all 4 variables (year of study, gender, race and religion) with level of awareness among undergraduate medical students in HUSM. Conclusion: Undergraduate medical students have a good awareness on DNR orders. Despite having a multiracial and multi religion community, the medical students have similar patterns in their knowledge about DNR.

End-of-life decisions: A retrospective study in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India

Background & objectives: In developing countries like India, there is a lack of clarity regarding the factors that influence decisions pertaining to life supports at the end-of-life (EOL). The objectives of this study were to assess the factors associated with EOL-care decisions in the Indian context and to raise awareness in this area of healthcare. Methods: This retrospectively study included all patients admitted to the medical unit of a tertiary care hospital in southern India, over one year and died. The baseline demographics, economic, physiological, sociological, prognostic and medical treatment-related factors were retrieved from the patient's medical records and analysed. Results: Of the 122 decedents included in the study whose characteristics were analyzed, 41 (33.6%) received full life support and 81 (66.4%) had withdrawal or withholding of some life support measure. Amongst those who had withdrawal or withholding of life support, 62 (76.5%) had some support withheld and in 19 (23.5%), it was withdrawn. The documentation of the disease process, prognosis and the mention of imminent death in the medical records was the single most important factor that was associated with the EOL decision (odds ratio - 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.74; P=0.03). Interpretation & conclusions: The documentation of poor prognosis was the only factor found to be associated with EOL care decisions in our study. Prospective, multicentric studies need to be done to evaluate the influence of various other factors on the EOL care.

Comparison of Life-Sustaining Treatment in Terminal Cancer Patients between a Cancer and Hospice Unit after Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the performance of life-sustaining treatment after signing a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order between terminal cancer patients who died in the cancer unit and hospice unit. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 174 patients who died in the cancer unit (CU) and 68 patients who died in the hospice unit (HU) from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 at a hospital specializing in cancer treatment. RESULTS: The rate of life-sustaining treatment administration was lower for patients who died in the HU than that of those who died in the CU. The period until death after signing a DNR order was 7 days for CU patients and 19.5 days for the HU patients. The period from admission to death was also significantly longer in HU patients (32.5 days) than that in CU patients (21.5 days, p < .001). Of the patients who died in the CU, 54% were referred to the HU but did not use the service. Most of the people who signed DNR informed consents were spouses and offspring; only 4.6% of patients signed DNRs. CONCLUSION: It is hard to say that life-sustaining treatment increases the survival period, but it can improve symptom control and quality of life in hospices. Activation of consultation-based hospice is necessary for patients who cannot use the hospice unit. To increase patient's active participation in the life-sustaining treatment decision of terminal cancer patients, it is necessary that an advanced practice nurse specialized in counseling and education is involved in the decision.

Ordem de não reanimar sob a perspectiva depacientes oncológicos e seus familiares / Do not resuscitate orders from the perspective of oncology patients and their relatives

O presente estudo objetivou verificar a perspectiva dos pacientes oncológicos e familiares em relação à Ordem deNão Reanimar (ONR). Foram entrevistados 104 pacientes oncológicos e 100 familiares que frequentavam o serviço deoncologia do Hospital Universitário Santa Terezinha, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brasil, no ano de 2014. Os termos ONReram desconhecidos por 81,73% dos pacientes e por 82% dos familiares. Após esclarecimento do significado, 65,4%dos pacientes e 67% dos familiares mostraram-se favoráveis à ONR em caso de parada cardiorrespiratória de pacienteem fase final de doença terminal. A decisão compartilhada entre pacientes, familiares e médico obteve a preferência de58,65% dos pacientes e de 73% dos familiares, por iniciativa do médico que acompanha o tratamento, segundo 60,58%dos pacientes e 72% dos familiares. A realização de sua própria ONR foi considerada importante por 63,47% dospacientes e 68,63% dos familiares e a implantação da Ordem de não reanimar no Brasil por 75% dos pacientes e 74%dos familiares. Concluiu-se que a maioria dos pacientes e familiares desconhecia os termos ordem de não reanimar, masera favorável à implantação do procedimento no Brasil, à realização pessoal por meio de decisão compartilhada e quea abordagem ocorresse durante as consultas médicas. Os resultados deste estudo permitem inferir a necessidade de seampliar a discussão sobre a Ordem de Não Reanimar, no âmbito ético e social, com a finalidade de se emitir orientaçõespara assegurar a autonomia dos pacientes que se encontram na terminalidade da vida

This study aims to determine the perspective of oncological patients and their families in relation to the Do Not ResuscitateOrder (DNR). A questionnaire was applied to 104 oncological patients and 100 relatives, who were attended to by theoncology service of Hospital Universitário Santa Terezinha, Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil in 2014. The term DNR wasunknown by 81.73% of the patients and by 82% of the relatives. After clarifying its meaning, 65.4% of patients and 67%of the relatives were favorable towards DNR in the event of cardiorespiratory failure of the patient, in the final phase ofthe terminal disease. A shared decision between the patients, their relatives, and the doctor was preferred by 58.65%of patients and 73% of the relatives; a decision prompted by the initiative of the doctor accompanying the treatmentwas preferred by 60.58% of the patients and 72% of the relatives. The execution of the DNR by the patient him/herselfwas considered important by 63.47% of the patients and 68.63% of the relatives, and the introduction of the DNR inBrazil was considered important by 75% of the patients and 74% of the relatives. It is concluded that the majority ofthe patients and relatives did not know the term "Do Not Resuscitate Order", but were favorable to the introduction ofthe procedure in Brazil, the personal realization through the shared decision, and that the approach would occur duringmedical visits. The results of this study enable us to infer the need to broaden the discussion on DNR, in the ethical socialscope, in order to issue guidance to ensure the autonomy of patients who are in the terminal phases of life

Life-sustaining treatment and palliative care in patients with liver cirrhosis - legal, ethical, and practical issues

With the enactment of the ‘Act on Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life’ (Act No. 14013) in Korea, there is growing concern about the practicality of this law. In this review, we discuss definitions, ethics, and practical issues related to this law.

The End-of-Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit / 대한구급학회지

The intensive care units (ICUs) provide the best possible medical care to help critically ill patients survive acute threats to their lives. At the same time, the ICU is also the most common place to die. Thus the ICU clinicians should be competent in all aspects for end-of-life (EOL) care. The quality of EOL care in Korean ICUs do not ensure ICU patient's autonomy and dignity at their end-of-life. For examples, several studies present that do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders are only initiated when the patient's death in imminent. To improve understanding EOL care of terminally ill patients, we summarize 'Recommendations for EOL care in the ICU by the American College of Critical Care Medicine' and 'Consensus guidelines to withdrawing life-sustaining therapies endorsed by Korean Academy of Medical Science'. EOL care will be emerging as a comprehensive area of expertise in Korean ICUs. The ICU clinicians must strive to find the barriers for EOL care in the ICU and develop their processes to improve the care of EOL.

Orden de no reanimar, consideraciones sobre este problema / Don not resuscitate order: some considerations about this problem

El artículo define aspectos y significados clínicos y éticos sobre Paro Cardiorrespiratorio (PCR), Maniobras de Reanimación Cardiopulmonar y Orden de No resucitación Cardiopulmonar (No-RCP). Enfatiza la diferencia entre el cese de la función cardiorrespiratoria por muerte natural (p.ej. por enfermedad crónica irreversible), distinguiéndolo de el PCR súbito, reversible. Se examinan estas situaciones a la luz de los “Fines de la Medicina” (Hastings Center, 1996).Se analizan los principales problemas, comenzando por las dificultades según los diferentes escenarios (servicio de urgencia, pabellón de maternidad, sala de hospitalizados, unidad de intensivo, pabellones quirúrgicos); se analiza la incertidumbre sobre el pronóstico de cada pacientes y sobre quién(es) deben tomar las decisiones sobre el fin de la vida. Idealmente debe ser el paciente autónomo quien tome la decisión, pero en otros casos se requieren alternativas, una de ellas es la Orden Unilateral. Otros problemas son la Validez de las órdenes de no-RCP en los diferentes tiempos evolutivos, el problema de la Futilidad y la Validez de las “Directivas Anticipadas”, en este grupo resalta el enfoque POLST (Physician’s Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) como más comprehensivo; como complemento ha surgido también el concepto AND (Allow Natural Death), que podría estar destinado a remplazar la orden de no-RCP (DNR).

This article examines the ethical and clinical significance of Cardiopulmonary Arrest, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation maneuvers and Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR). It emphasizes Cardiopulmonary Arrest, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation maneuvers and Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR). It emphasizes the difference between the cessation of cardiorespiratory function by natural death (e.g. by chronic irreversible disease) as different from the sudden, reversible cardiopulmonary arrest. It considers these situations under the light of the “Goals of Medicine” (Hastings Center, 1996). We look through the main problems, in first place the specific difficulties according to different scenarios (emergency room, maternity ward, hospital room, intensive care unit, surgical blocks); second we analyzes the uncertainty about patients prognosis and third the controversial issue about who should take charge the end of life decisions. The autonomous patient should ideally be who takes the decisions. Other cases need alternatives ways, one of them is the “Unilateral Order”. Other problems are the validity of the DNR orders in different clinical times, the problem of futility and the value of Advance Directives; in this last point POLST (Physician’s Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) approach appears as more comprehensive; at last, the new concept AND (allow natural death) could be destined to replace the DNR order.

Ordem de não reanimar o doente terminal: dilemas éticos dos enfermeiros / Order not to resuscitate the terminally ill: nurses's ethical dilemmas

O artigo discute a Ordem de Não Reanimar (ONR), temática que tem suscitado várias questões éticas no exercício da prestação dos cuidados de saúde. Baseado em pesquisa empreendida em dois hospitais com especialidade oncológica no Norte e no Sul de Portugal, o estudo teve como finalidade conhecer os principais dilemas éticos invocados pelos profissionais de enfermagem pelo fato de não existir uniformização quanto a esta decisão naquele país. A partir de amostra constituída por 231 enfermeiros que atuam em serviços afins enfatizou-se o posicionamento a respeito da tomada de decisão de ONR no doente terminal, bem como asquestões relativas a quem tem conhecimento sobre a mesma, assim como suas formas de registro e reavaliação. Além de caracterizar esse processo, este estudo pretendeu evidenciar qual o pensamento e atitude dos enfermeiros portugueses perante o doente com ONR.

Ordens de não ressuscitar: prática versus registro em prontuário / Do not resuscitate orders: practice vs. medical record notes

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a veracidade do registro do óbito de pacientes pediátricos de um hospital terciário e comparar esse dado com o de um estudo anterior. MÉTODOS: O registro do óbito apresentado nos prontuários dos pacientes não ressuscitados entre os anos de 1999 e 2001 foi confrontado com o ato médico realizado durante as paradas cardiorrespiratórias, cuja descrição se deu através da padronização Utstein. Esse resultado foi comparado (através do teste de qui-quadrado, com proporções de concordância) com os resultados de um estudo anterior, que havia encontrado uma discrepância expressiva entre o ato médico e o registro de óbito em prontuário. RESULTADOS: Observamos uma concordância entre a prática médica e o registro no prontuário em 86,5 por cento dos casos. No estudo anterior essa taxa foi de apenas 27,5 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Houve uma redução significativa na discrepância entre o ato médico e o registro de óbito no prontuário.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of pediatric patients' death records of a tertiary care center, comparing these records with data from a previous study. METHODS: Death records entered on the medical charts of non-resuscitated patients between 1999 and 2001 were compared with the medical procedure during cardiac arrest, which was described based on the Utstein-style guidelines. Our results were compared (using the chi-square test for equality of distributions) with the results of a previous study, which revealed a significant discrepancy between the medical procedure and the death record entered on the medical chart. RESULTS: The data analysis revealed agreement between the medical procedure and the medical record notes in 86.5 percent of the cases. The agreement rate in the previous study was only 27.5 percent. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant reduction of discrepancy between the medical procedure during a cardiac arrest and the death record entered on the medical chart.

Do-not-resuscitate Order in Patients, Who Were Deceased in a Medical Intensive Care Unit of an University Hospital in Korea / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) in the event of a cardiac arrest is the most common and important discussion between a patient's family and physicians among the end-of-life decision-making process. To observe the performance of a DNR order in critically ill patients, we analyzed the incidence of DNR orders, the changes in therapeutic levels after DNR orders, and the cases of violated DNR codes in patients who had died in a Korean medical intensive care unit (ICU) between 1 January 2006 and 30 June 2006. METHODS: The charts of patients who had died in the medical ICU were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: One hundred two patients were enrolled. The ICU and hospital lengths of stay of the patients were 12.4 +/- 14.0 and 23.2 +/- 21.1 days, respectively. Hematologic malignancy (24.5%) accounted for the most common premorbid diagnosis before ICU admission. Seventy-five patients (73.5%) had DNR orders. The DNR order was suggested by the physician in 96% of the patients. There was no significant difference in the clinical parameters and the performance of a DNR order. Eighty-four percent of the patients with a DNR order had received the order within 3 days death. The withholding of additional therapy or withdrawing of current therapy occurred in 57.3% of the patients. The DNR order was violated in 9 cases (12%). CONCLUSIONS: DNR orders are well-accepted by the patient's family in the ICU. However, DNR orders are initiated when patient death is imminent.

Factors determining the establishment of DNR orders in oncologic patients at a university hospital in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders have been one of the critical issues considered in futile medical management, but they have not been legally defined in Korea. The aim of this study was to observe the factors that influence DNR agreement and to determine the current status of DNR orders in the hemato-oncology wards of a university hospital, in which DNR orders were formally implemented through the Hospital Ethics Committee in October 2001. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 213 patients who had died in the hemato-oncology department at a university hospital between January 2002 and July 2002. RESULTS: Of the 213 patients, 181 (85%) agreed to a DNR order. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was done in 1 out of 181 patients. The DNRs were suggested by attending physicians in 83.9% of cases and by family members in 16.1%. The patients with more frequent admission to the hospital (3.7+/-2.6 vs. 2.9+/-1.7, p<0.05) and with higher educational level (p<0.05) were more likely to agree to a DNR order. Patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer were more likely to agree to a DNR order than patients with lung cancer or hematologic malignancy (p<0.05). The levels of care after DNR agreement were: withholding of resuscitation only (17.2%), withholding of additional support (73.9%), and active withdrawal of provided support (8.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of admission, type of malignancy, and educational level of patients were determining factors for the establishment of DNR orders in patients with malignancy.

Concept Analysis of DNR(Do-Not-Resuscitate) / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze and clarify the ambiguous concept of DNR, and to distinguish between DNR and euthanasia. METHOD: This study used the process of Walker & Avant's concept analysis. RESULT: The definable attributes of DNR were care for comfort, no further treatment and no CPR. The antecedents of DNR were the autonomy of patients and families feelings about death, the uselessness of treatment and the right to die with dignity. The process of the DNR decision should be documented and the antecedents of DNR also can be a basis for objective standards of DNR decision-making. The result of DNR was the acceptance of death by patients and families. CONCLUSION: DNR is decided and documented by the antecedents of DNR, and the result is a natural acceptance of death, the last process of human life. Hospice care should be activated and nurses must be patient's advocates and families' supporters in the process.

The APACHE III Score and Multiple Organ Failure(MOF) Score in Patients who were Recipients of Decision-Making Do-Not- Resuscitate / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of patients who were recipients of decision-making DNR, to describe the situations of DNR, and to analyze the APACHE III and MOF scores. METHOD: Data collection was conducted through reviews of medical records of 51 patients and through interviews with families of patients who were decision-makers for DNR at C university K Hospital located in Seoul from April to September 2002. RESULTS: The men's APACHE III and MOF scores were higher than the women's and the non cancer patients were higher than cancer patients. Some 80.4% of DNR orders was by communication, while 11.8% of consents were written. Each of APACHE III and MOF scores of patients in the intensive care unit was higher than the patients in general ward at both points of admission and decision-making of DNR. APACHE III and MOF scores positively correlated statistically with each other. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that APACHE III and MOF scores be useful for decision-making of DNR as a tool measuring severity.