Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Bradley N.M.E. BSc(C), Sinclair E. BSc MRT(T), Danjoux C. MD, Barnes E.A. MD, Tsao M.N. MD, Farhadian M. RN, Yee A. MD MSc, Chow E. MBBS MSc
Primary Institution: Toronto–Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, University of Toronto
Hypothesis
What is the incidence of documentation of do-not-resuscitate orders in cancer patients referred for palliative radiotherapy?
Conclusion
Only a small proportion of cancer patients referred for outpatient palliative radiotherapy had documentation of their do-not-resuscitate code status.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 13 (6.2%) of the 209 patients had any documented reference to CPR code status.
- Patients with documented status were significantly older and had poorer performance status.
- 69% of patients with documented CPR code status were referred hospital inpatients.
Takeaway
Most cancer patients don't have clear instructions about whether they want to be resuscitated if they have a medical emergency, which can lead to confusion and unnecessary treatments.
Methodology
Reviewed referral notes and medical records for 209 consecutive patients seen in the clinics for documentation of CPR-related advance directives.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size of patients with documented CPR advance directives.
Participant Demographics
Patients had a median age of 70 years, with a roughly equal distribution of men and women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0347
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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