Article Text
Abstract
Background There have been a number of high profile cases about resuscitation decisions in recent years.1,2 This has prompted regular updates in the national guidance on decisions relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).3–5 At the hospice a specific template is used to document CPR decisions on SystmOne, electronic patient record system. Current practice on the inpatient unit was audited against the hospice resuscitation policy following local and national guidance.3,6 Fourteen standards were set specifically reviewing documentation on admission, at multidisciplinary team meetings and discharge. A 100% target was set for each standard due to the important implications of the do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) decision. The aim was to establish whether CPR decisions were documented and communicated appropriately to highlight any areas for improvement.
Method Retrospective review of 39 patient notes on SystmOne for patients admitted to the hospice from October to November 2016.
Results Of the fourteen standards set, only one standard met the 100% target. This was informing the GP of the unified DNACPR (uDNACPR) status at discharge.
Standards that achieved over 90% included: making a resuscitation decision on admission and discussing this with the patient, as well as reviewing resuscitation status at multidisciplinary team meetings.
Standards that achieved less than 80% included: discussing resuscitation decision with relatives when the patient lacks capacity and documenting decisions for uDNACPR at discharge.
Conclusion Using SystmOne templates has been helpful for documenting CPR status on admission, at multidisciplinary meeting review and on discharge letters to the GP. Recommended amendments to the CPR template include a prompt for a uDNACPR decision at discharge and an updated discharge checklist.
It is recommended that doctors fully document the CPR discussions when completing these templates even if the uDNACPR is in place, especially with relatives of patients without capacity.