[Decision to withdraw cardiopulmonary resuscitation at Norwegian hospitals]

We present a survey on the use of do-not-resuscitate orders in Norwegian hospitals based on mailed questionnaires. 559 doctors, at least one from every somatic hospital in Norway responded. Do-not-resuscitate orders were issued by 92% of these doctors. There were large differences, however, as to who made the decision, who was involved in the decision-making, the consequences of a do-not-resuscitate order, and how the orders were documented. Formal rules for do-not-resuscitate orders are needed.