‘Do not resuscitate’ patients may be under-treated

PATIENTS who have asked not to be resuscitated are managed differently, “potentially under-treated” and are unlikely to have their medical history reviewed if they sustain further injury.

A new survey of Irish doctors and interns has found that, despite the need to continue providing high standards of care to all patients in hospitals, there are concerns among medics that this is not taking place.

According to the study, published in the latest edition of research publication the Irish Medical Journal, the vast majority of those surveyed believe care attitudes change once a patient is listed “do not resuscitate”.