Changes in how ICU nurses perceive the DNR decision and their nursing activity after implementing it

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Nursing Practice
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• The 'do not resuscitate' (DNR) decision is a critical aspect of end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Understanding ICU nurses' perceptions and the impact of DNR implementation on their activities is essential for ethical practice and patient-centered care in South Korea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the perceptions and attitudes of ICU nurses in South Korea regarding the DNR decision.
• To assess changes in nursing activities following the implementation of DNR decisions.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among 252 ICU nurses with over one year of clinical experience in South Korea.
• Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire between August and October 2008.

Main Results:

• A majority of nurses recognized the necessity of DNR orders when patient recovery was unlikely despite extensive medical interventions.
• Few nurses reported significant changes, either passive or active, in their nursing activities after DNR implementation.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests that while ICU nurses understand the importance of DNR decisions, practical nursing activities remain largely unchanged.
• Findings provide insights for refining DNR decision-making processes and developing ethical nursing guidelines for end-of-life care in South Korea.
• Further research is recommended to enhance decision-making skills and intervention guidelines for end-of-life nursing.