Summary
Do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) decisions pose a conundrum where patients are scheduled to undergo anaesthesia, because techniques routinely undertaken in the course of anaesthesia would ordinarily be classified as resuscitation. Yet it’s increasingly common for patients to be scheduled for anaesthesia and surgery with a pre-existing DNAR decision in place. These guidelines (which apply only to adult patients) are intended for use by all clinicians and healthcare workers involved with adult patients during the perioperative period. They include recommendations and advice on:
- The definition of DNAR decisions
- The ethical framework surrounding DNAR
- The legal framework surrounding DNAR
- Reviewing DNAR decisions before anaesthesia and surgery
- Conflict resolution