The unilateral DNR order--one hospital's experience

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Policy
• Nursing Practice
• Patient Care Management

Background:

• Hospital policies significantly influence nursing practice and patient care.
• Nurses often serve as the primary implementers of institutional policies.
• Concerns raised by nursing staff regarding policy appropriateness warrant institutional review.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a specific institutional policy revision that caused significant nursing staff concern.
• To detail the review process undertaken in response to these nursing staff concerns.
• To demonstrate the value of policy-related studies in addressing and resolving nursing staff concerns.

Main Methods:

• A review of a revised Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) policy was conducted.
• The review focused on concerns raised by nursing staff regarding unilateral DNR orders.
• Outcomes of the policy review were analyzed to address staff concerns and improve policy application.

Main Results:

• The policy review aimed to dispel unfounded concerns among the nursing staff.
• The study facilitated improvements in the application and understanding of the DNR policy.
• Evidence-based review helped to validate or refine institutional guidelines.

Conclusions:

• Scholarly activity and interdisciplinary teamwork are crucial for enhancing patient care.
• Encouraging nurses to question and study policies leads to improved healthcare practices.
• Institutions should actively engage nursing staff in policy evaluation and revision processes.