BMJ  2007;335:1008 (17 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39395.385972.80

Letters

Resuscitation decisions

Yes, but who is in charge?

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

I definitely support nurses' involvement in resuscitation decisions.1 I have worked on teams where nursing staff were always involved before a "not for resuscitation" decision was made, and if they did not agree the patient would remain "for resuscitation." I have also worked for consultants who will not make patients not for resuscitation.

What will happen if the consultant responsible for a patient wishes them to remain for resuscitation but a senior nurse feels that they should not be for resuscitation? Other doctors may agree with the nurse's decision but in the end I would want clarification as to who would have the final say.

James E Griffin, specialist registrar in haematology

Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, Bristol BS2 8ED

jg7403@mac.com

Competing interests: None declared.

  1. White C. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions should be extended to nurses. BMJ 2007;335:901. (3 November.) doi: 10.1136/bmj.39384.681829.DB[Free Full Text]

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