Do-not-resuscitate patients in critical care: moral and ethical considerations

Abstract

In this article the author describes moral and ethical dilemmas presented by the "do-not-resuscitate" (DNR) patient in the critical care unit. The author defines the term DNR, and discovers implementation of the concept is not universally consistent among health care facilities. From the literature review, the author identifies characteristics, care requirements, economic cost, suitability of treatment, patient/family preferences, and health care professionals' values and beliefs as six important factors encompassing care and treatment of DNR patients in critical care. Recommendations for critical care professional practice, emphasizing the importance of communication, education, research, the development of specialized care units, and advance personal directives, is presented.