Decisions Relating to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Author: Guidance from the British Medical Association, the Resuscitation Council (UK) and the Royal College of Nursing

Published Date: November 2018

Date to Review: August 2021

Decisions relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

This guidance offers in-depth advice on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the relevant ethical principles involved.

Some of the key sections are listed below:

Decision-making framework
Advance care planning
Non-discrimination
Human Rights Act
Decisions not to attempt CPR because it will not be successful
Decisions about CPR that are based on a balance of benefits and burdens
Circumstances when a CPR decision may not be followed
Initial presumption in favour of CPR when there is no recorded CPR decision
Refusals of CPR by adults with capacity
Adults who lack capacity
Children and young people under 18 years of age
Confidentiality
Provision of information in printed and other formats for patients and those close to patients
Responsibility for decision-making
Recording decisions
Communicating decisions to other healthcare providers
Reviewing decisions
Standards, audit and training