Development of a national approach to resuscitation decisions : the recommended summary plan for emergency care and treatment (ReSPECT)

Discussing, making and documenting do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNACPR) decisions can be challenging. Problems highlighted by qualitative and quantitative1 research include: misinterpreting DNACPR decisions, resulting in withholding of other treatments; poorer care for those with DNACPR decisions than for similar patients without; inconsistent CPR decision-making; too many futile or unwanted CPR attempts; different ways of recording CPR decisions; and reluctance of patients and doctors to discuss CPR