LEVEL OF CARE CHOICES

Deciding About Resuscitation

August 15, 2018

Deciding About Resuscitation 

Health care provider discussing resuscitation with the patient and her husband.

Resuscitation refers to the methods used to try to restart the heart and lungs if they stop working. If you have a serious illness, your healthcare provider will likely talk to you and your loved ones about resuscitation and other treatments you may need in the future. Read on to learn more about resuscitation and what you need to know when deciding about this treatment.

What is involved in resuscitation?

Resuscitation can involve:

  • CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). This is used to try to attempt to restart your heart if it stops beating. It involves pressing down on your chest and breathing into your mouth.

  • Intubation. This is used if you can’t breathe to maintain adequate oxygen levels. A tube is placed through your mouth or nose, down your throat, and into your windpipe. The tube may be attached to a breathing machine. The machine helps pump air through the tube and into your lungs.

  • Electric shocks (cardioversion or defibrillation). This is used to send brief shocks to your heart through small pads on your chest. It may help restore your heart rhythm to normal.

  • Medicines. These may be used to help restart your heart.

What is the likely outcome of resuscitation?

Resuscitation can save lives. But its success rate is low. Factors, like age, health, and underlying illness, can affect the outcome. How quickly resuscitation is started can also affect the outcome. Even if a patient is revived, complications can happen during resuscitation that may cause further health problems or disability. Resuscitative efforts may have consequences that are not expected. It is best to discuss your goals for resuscitation with your healthcare provider to understand more about the risks and benefits of such actions. 

How do I decide if I want resuscitation?

Your healthcare provider can tell you more about resuscitation and what it means for you. If you want, you may also include family and friends in these discussions. As you make your decision, here are some things to think about or ask your healthcare provider:

  • Will my illness improve? Or will it get worse? How likely is a cure?

  • What are the risks and benefits of resuscitation?

  • Am I likely to survive or recover fully from resuscitation?

  • How might the outcome affect my health? How might it affect my comfort and quality of life?

Consider your own values or faith. Also ask for advice from those who share your values.

How do I state my decision about resuscitation?

Your healthcare providers will perform resuscitation when needed unless you have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. This order tells healthcare providers not to perform resuscitation if your heart and lungs stop working. Laws about DNR orders vary from state to state. Ask your healthcare provider about what forms are needed to make sure your wishes will be followed. Here are some common features of DNR orders:              

  • A DNR order must be written and signed by a healthcare provider. This can only be done with your consent. If you can’t speak for yourself, your health care proxy (also called a medical or health care power of attorney, surrogate decision maker, or agent) may give the consent. This is a person named by you to make treatment decisions on your behalf when you can’t. A legal form called a health care proxy form or durable power of attorney for health care is needed to appoint this person. If you don’t have a health care proxy, the healthcare provider may ask a family member or close friend to decide on a DNR.

  • A DNR order can be canceled at any time. Any changes must be discussed with your healthcare provider. Make it a practice to review your decision for a DNR order each time there is a change in your health or goals of care. Also, be sure to tell your healthcare proxy and loves ones of any changes in your decision.

  • A DNR order does not affect whether you will receive other treatments. A DNR order does not mean “do not treat.” You will still receive all other treatments for pain and other symptoms as needed up until the extent that an extreme situation happens. 

Deciding about resuscitation for a loved one

Ideally, the decision about resuscitation is made with the patient’s consent. But in some cases, the decision may fall to the patient’s healthcare proxy or other adult. If you need to decide about resuscitation for a loved one, start by talking to his or her healthcare provider. Discuss the goals of care and the benefits and burdens of the treatment on your loved one’s health. Think about your loved one’s wishes and values. Also, seek advice from other healthcare team members, like a social worker or spiritual advisor, if needed. 

Updated:  

August 15, 2018

Sources:  

Ethical Issues Near the End of Life. UpToDate

Reviewed By:  

Buslovich, Steven, MD,Image reviewed by StayWell art team.,Taylor, Wanda, RN, Ph.D.