Last week saw the publication of the new Do Not Attempt Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (DNACPR) guidance from the British Medical Association, the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the Royal College of Nursing.
Aimed at clinicians this new guide updates previous advice about DNACPR.
It is important for staff in hospices and palliative care providers and interested parties to read the new guidance for a variety of reasons but especially because of the:
“greater emphasis on ensuring high-quality communication, decision-making and recording in relation to decisions about CPR.
“This is in response to public and professional debate about CPR decisions, to feedback from individual healthcare professionals and professional bodies, and to recent legal judgments”.
Reading the guidance in full, there are several strengthened areas such as the relationship with advance care planning (albeit there remains a need to talk about what matters to people whilst they are living with dying, not only when they may be preparing or planning for dying).
Other areas that are helpful are more detail about how the Janet Tracey and Carl Winspear rulings have influenced DNACPR discussions and decisions.
Furthermore, it would be useful to look at the new publication and consider how your own policy, education and clinical practice reflect the updated information.
A more detailed reflection worth a read is from the author Dr Phil Berry. Phil is a consultant hepatologist (@philaberry) who frequently posts thoughtful and thought provoking blogs.
I recommend a read of both Phil’s blog and the guidance and discussion within your own teams.
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