DNR or DNAR ? The Poll
Do not resuscitate or do not attempt resuscitation ? Does it matter?
Both terms are currently in use in the NHS. Both are frequently abbreviated.
When we are literally talking about a life and death scenario, shouldn’t we all be consistent in our jargon? The key to everyone’s understanding acronyms is standardisation.
DNR was the standard abbreviation. This is the one with which many clinicians are familiar. However, DNAR now also has wide acceptance.
Do not resuscitate and do not attempt resuscitation are generally taken to mean the same thing – do not try to get the patient breathing or their heart beating again. DNAR seems to have come about as a more accurate description - resuscitation does not work every time.
"Attempted CPR in hospital is successful in restarting the heart and breathing, so that about 2 out of 10 patients survive long enough to leave hospital. The figures are much lower for patients with serious underlying conditions."
British Medical Association, Model Patient Information Leaflet – Decisions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation, April 2008
We have decided therefore to run a poll. As a member of the public, which do you feel should be used? As a medical professional, is DNR or DNAR the most appropriate term to use with patients?
If you would like to tell us whether your organisation uses DNR or DNAR please use the comment box.
Below is a table showing some organisations by the term they currently use.
| DNR | DNAR |
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