Ethical Issues of Resuscitation

Question 1

NAEP Standards for termination of resuscitation in nontraumatic cardiopulmonary arrest

Answer 1

Termination of resuscitation may be considered when, at the time of decision of termination, all of the following conditions have been met:
1. The arrest was not witnessed by an EMS provider
2. There is no shockable rhythm identified by an AED or other electronic monitor
3. There is no ROSC prior to EMS transport

Question 2

Assist surrogates to make end-of-life (EOL) care choices for patients who lack decision-making capacity, based on

Answer 2

the patient’s own preferences, values, and goals

Question 3

Practical advice for resuscitation scenarios

Answer 3

1. Identify patient wishes (advance directive, prior communication)
2. Communicate with family and loved ones during and following resuscitative efforts
3. Allow family to be present during resuscitative efforts, if appropritae
4. Assess prognosis, based on scientific evidence
5. enroll patient in research trials, with surrogate consent, or using waiver of consent rule, as appropriate
6. provide spiritual, psychosocial, and educational support to family and loved ones throughout ant after termination of resuscitative efforts