“Code” or “No Code”: A Nonlegal Opinion

Although widespread familiarity with cardiopulmonary-resuscitation technics and the prompt availability of portable defibrillators and "crash carts " in most modern hospitals have made it possible to attempt resuscitation in virtually all in-hospital deaths, the current state of affairs has introduced some new complexities into this decision-making process.

Abstract

THE widespread familiarity with cardiopulmonary-resuscitation technics and the prompt availability of portable defibrillators and "crash carts "in most modern hospitals have made it possible to attempt resuscitation in virtually all in-hospital deaths. The policy in many hospitals is that a resuscitative effort will be made on all patients in the event of death unless the physician has written a "no-code" order. Although making decisions about resuscitating patients is certainly not a new responsibility for physicians, the current state of affairs has introduced some new complexities into this decision-making process.The new complexities concern the timing of such decisions and the . . .