Limited cardiopulmonary resuscitation: the ethics of partial codes

Abstract

The ethics of limited resuscitative efforts or partial code orders has been the subject of considerable disagreement. The customary objection to partial code orders is that they are ineffective in sustaining life and are intended to deceive the patient and/or patient's family into believing that resuscitation is possible when, in fact, the patient's death is imminent. This article suggests that the ethics and acceptability of partial code orders depend on their intent and that the motivation for partial code orders may differ substantially.