CPR vs. DNR in the context of palliative care

Medical advances have significantly improved the chances of survival for many patients with life-threatening illnesses. Simultaneously, complex ethical dilemmas have arisen. While limiting and/or forgoing a particular treatment in some situations at the end of life is now commonly accepted, many patients still die after heroic, extraordinary means were applied to postpone their inevitable death. This paper considers some of the issues surrounding the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and arranging “do not resuscitate” orders for palliative care patients.Medical advances have significantly improved the chances of survival for many patients with life-threatening illnesses. Simultaneously, complex ethical dilemmas have arisen. While limiting and/or forgoing a particular treatment in some situations at the end of life is now commonly accepted, many patients still die after heroic, extraordinary means were applied to postpone their inevitable death. This paper considers some of the issues surrounding the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and arranging “do not resuscitate” orders for palliative care patients