Patient Self‐Determination Act and do not Resuscitate

Abstract

Adults with decisional capacity have the right to make decisions regarding the type and amount of healthcare they would like to pursue and also to avoid. When the ability to communicate preferences is lost, decisions must still be made. The Patient Self‐Determination Act supports a person's right to appoint a decision maker and to communicate preferences through advance directives. A decision that is often confronted in advanced chronic illness is whether to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest. One method for clarifying preferences related to resuscitation is the do‐not‐resuscitate order.