Do Not Resuscitate Does Not Mean Do Not Treat: How Palliative Care and Other Modalities Can Help Facilitate Communication About Goals of Care in Advanced Illness

A do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is commonly used for hospitalized patients with advanced illness. It reflects only the desires of a patient once lie or she suffers a full cardiopulmonary arrest. It does not reflect preferences about other forms Of life-sustaining treatments. This article reviews the definition of a DNR order, describes the evidence Suggesting that physicians use a DNR order in making determinations about other life-sustaining treatments, and will provide tools such as the use Of Palliative Care consultations and combined directives in discussing Overall goals of care. Mt Sinai J Med 75:460-465, 2008 (C) 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine