Do-not-resuscitate orders in suicidal patients: clinical, ethical, and legal dilemmas
- PMID: 20587754
- DOI: 10.1176/appi.psy.51.4.277
Do-not-resuscitate orders in suicidal patients: clinical, ethical, and legal dilemmas
Abstract
Background: The authors review the literature related to patients who obtain a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order in preparation for a suicide attempt.
Objective: The authors review the ethical issues involved in making a decision to resuscitate or not in an attempted suicide with a DNR order.
Method: The authors address the potential legal consequences of action or inaction and clinical issues to consider before a DNR order is issued.
Results: DNR laws do not take into account the situation of the mentally ill person framing a DNR order as a preparation for suicide.
Conclusion: The article recommends screening for suicidal ideation before issuing DNR orders, having clear hospital policies regarding the honoring of DNR orders if suicide is attempted, and clarification of state DNR laws regarding suicide.
Comment in
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Response to: "Do-not-resuscitate orders in suicidal patients: clinical, ethical, and legal dilemmas".Psychosomatics. 2011 Sep-Oct;52(5):498. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2011.01.020. Psychosomatics. 2011. PMID: 21907080 No abstract available.
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