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. 2025 Oct 27;15(6):835-841.
doi: 10.1136/spcare-2024-005263.

Divergence in DNACPR and resuscitation policies: institutional survey in England

Emily Fitton  1 , Karen Chumbley  2 , Caroline Barry  3   4 , Aneta Bartova  5 , Ben Troke  5 , Wayne Martin  5
Affiliations

Divergence in DNACPR and resuscitation policies: institutional survey in England

Emily Fitton et al. BMJ Support Palliat Care. .

Abstract

Objectives: Our objective was to analyse the policies of hospitals and care homes in England as regards the use of do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) recommendations. We sought to identify (i) variations among policies at different institutions, and (ii) divergence of local policies from national guidance, particularly with reference to decisions either (a) to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) despite the presence of a DNACPR recommendation, or (b) not to initiate CPR in the absence of a DNACPR recommendation.

Methods: We conducted a survey of 14 DNACPR and/or resuscitation policies, drawn from care homes, NHS trusts and hospices.

Results: Many of the policies we surveyed diverge significantly from national guidance. Some require that CPR be administered in all cases where no DNACPR recommendation has been made. Others fail to specify that CPR may be appropriate even in the presence of a DNACPR recommendation.

Conclusions: Local DNACPR policies currently place both patients and healthcare professionals at significant risk.

Keywords: Advance Care Planning; End of life care.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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