title: Resuscitation orders in acute hospitals: A point prevalence study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of resuscitation orders and Advance Care Plans, and the relationship with Medical Emergency Team (MET) calls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A point prevalence review of patient records at five Victorian hospital services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand nine hundred and thirty-four patient records were reviewed, and 230 resuscitation orders and 15 Advance Care Plans found. Significantly, more resuscitation orders were found at public hospitals. Patients admitted to private hospitals were older, with shorter admissions. A further 24 orders were written following MET calls for 97 patients. Only 16% of patients aged 80+ years had a resuscitation order written within 24 hours of admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fewer resuscitation orders were written at admission for older adults than might be expected if goals of care and resuscitation outcome are considered. MET continue to have a prominent role in end-of-life care. Consideration and documentation about treatment plans are needed early in an admission to avoid burdensome and futile resuscitation events.
authors.affiliation: Cabrini-Monash University Department of Medicine, Cabrini Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Cabrini-Monash University Department of Medicine, Cabrini Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levinson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nursing Research, Deakin University and Monash Health Partnership, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: Cabrini-Monash University Department of Medicine, Cabrini Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: Cabrini-Monash University Department of Medicine, Cabrini Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gellie
authors.affiliation: Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heriot
authors.affiliation: The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Harvey
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Newnham
authors.affiliation: Epworth Healthcare, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D032722:Advance Care Planning; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004282:Documentation; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010348:Patient Care Team; D016414:Resuscitation Orders; D014739:Victoria
keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation; medical futility; resuscitation orders; withholding treatment