Resuscitation planning on a subacute geriatric evaluation and management ward

To describe the use of acute resuscitation plans (ARPs) among patients on a subacute geriatric ward and to identify factors associated with use of ARPs in these patients.

The hospital records of all patients admitted to the geriatric medicine ward in 2016 were retrospectively audited.

An ARP was completed before separation for 333/442 (75.3%) admissions. In the event of arrest, 240 (54.3%) patients had an ARP specifying "care of the dying", 93 (21.0%) had an ARP specifying "cardiopulmonary resuscitation" and 109 (24.7%) had no resuscitation plan. Age 85-94 years (OR 1.65, P = 0.04) and ≥95 years (OR 9.59, P = 0.003), as well as Charlson index of comorbidity ≥2 (OR 3.4, P < 0.001), Australian-born (OR 2.09, P = 0.002) and admission during October-December (OR 3.81, P < 0.001) were independently associated with increased use of ARPs.

Acute resuscitation plan use was associated with older age, higher comorbidity, birth in Australia and admission later in the year.