title: Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation orders in acute medical settings: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) orders have been shown to be independently associated with patients receiving fewer treatments, reduced admission to intensive care and worse outcomes even after accounting for known confounders. The mechanisms by which they influence practice have not previously been studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a rich qualitative description of the use of the DNACPR form in a hospital ward setting and explore what influence it has on the everyday care of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-source qualitative study, primarily using direct observation and semi-structured interviews based on two acute wards in a typical middle-sized National Health Service hospital in UK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study identified a range of ways in which DNACPR orders influence ward practice, beyond dictating whether or not cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be attempted. Five key themes encapsulate the range of potential impacts emerging from the data: the specific design and primacy of the form, matters relating to clinical decision making, staff reflections on how the form can affect care, staff concern over 'inappropriate' resuscitation, and discussions with patients/relatives about DNACPR decisions. Overall, it was found that while the DNACPR form is recognized as serving a useful purpose, its influence negatively permeated many aspects of clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DNACPR orders can act as unofficial 'stop' signs and can often signify the inappropriate end to clinical decision making and proactive care. Many clinicians were uncomfortable discussing DNACPR orders with patients and families. These findings help understand why patients with DNACPR orders have worse outcomes, as such they may inform improvements in resuscitation policies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SR, UK. simon.cohn@medschl.cam.ac.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.forename: Z B M
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Frankau
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Laroche
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fuld
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D028701:Patient Rights; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology