Inadequate resuscitation documentation in older patients' clinical case notes.
This research examined the quality of resuscitation decisions documented in the clinical notes of 99 older patients within 48 h of admission. Only 34 had current documentation that was frequently inconsistent and ambiguous, leaving patients at risk of receiving inappropriate and unwanted resuscitation. Clear guidelines with community input to guide the implementation and documentation of end-of-life decisions are essential.
Hawke Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
M
M
Brown
R
R
Ruberu
C H
CH
Thompson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D003657:Decision Making; D004282:Documentation; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest; D006753:Hospital Records / Q000592:standards*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D013021:South Australia; D013727:Terminal Care; D009626:Terminology as Topic
advance care directive; aged care; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; resuscitation order; terminal care