Premium
Resuscitation orders in acute hospitals: A point prevalence study
Author(s) -
Mills Amber,
Walker Anne,
Levinson Michele,
Hutchinson Alison M,
Stephenson Gemma,
Gellie Anthea,
Heriot George,
Newnham Harvey,
Robertson Megan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12354
Subject(s) - resuscitation , medicine , documentation , emergency medicine , medical emergency , cardiopulmonary resuscitation , resuscitation orders , medical record , computer science , programming language
Objective To determine the prevalence of resuscitation orders and Advance Care Plans, and the relationship with Medical Emergency Team ( MET ) calls. Methods A point prevalence review of patient records at five Victorian hospital services. Results One thousand nine hundred and thirty‐four patient records were reviewed, and 230 resuscitation orders and 15 Advance Care Plans found. Significantly, more resuscitation orders were found at public hospitals. Patients admitted to private hospitals were older, with shorter admissions. A further 24 orders were written following MET calls for 97 patients. Only 16% of patients aged 80+ years had a resuscitation order written within 24 hours of admission. Conclusion Fewer resuscitation orders were written at admission for older adults than might be expected if goals of care and resuscitation outcome are considered. MET continue to have a prominent role in end‐of‐life care. Consideration and documentation about treatment plans are needed early in an admission to avoid burdensome and futile resuscitation events.