Managing do-not-resuscitate orders in the perianesthesia period.
Perianesthesia care often involves the use of pharmacologically potent drugs, increasing the risk of cardiopulmonary depression and arrest. For patients with terminal diseases, it may be difficult to decide whether cardiopulmonary arrest in the perianesthesia period is a result of anesthetic medications, surgical intervention, or the disease process. It is imperative that the patient maintains autonomy and is treated according to his or her wishes regarding do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. Some hospitals automatically suspend DNR orders for patients undergoing surgery, whereas others provide patients the option of no, limited, or full resuscitation. This article promotes the premise that all DNR orders should be reviewed and reconsidered with patients before consent for surgery.
Children's Hospital, New Orleans, LA, USA. kkg7b@bellsouth.net
Kristen K
KK
Guarisco
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D016224:Living Wills / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D016414:Resuscitation Orders / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States