May 2018 – Make a recommendation.

You can reduce your patient’s and family’s distress by making a recommendation about CPR based on what you know about CPR as a medical procedure. “Do everything, doctor!” may not mean full code. Patients may be expressing fear; they need your commitment to continuing to help them no matter what.

If you have a pit in your stomach about a patient’s resuscitation choices, try to find a way to address this directly. Use language like “CPR won’t help you remain at home with your family.” Or “We are at a different place now.” Or “My experience is that CPR will not help you live longer.” You don’t have to use scary language to be truthful.

For more information, contact Dr. Leslie Estep or Dr. Anita Meyer at Hospice of the Northwest,
360-814-5550, or lestep@hospicenw.org or ameyer@hospicenw.org