21. Cardiac and Respiratory Resuscitation/DNR notices
21.1 In the event of a person appearing to suffer a cardiac or respiratory arrest, an ambulance must be called using the 999 emergency service. In addition, emergency life saving procedures should be carried out by a trained first aider, if one is available.
21.2 There may be situations when staff are unsure whether resuscitation is appropriate due to serious illness or disability or a deterioration in a pre- existing condition. If there is concern about the likelihood of cardiac or respiratory failure in a seriously ill or profoundly disabled person, then the person’s doctor must give written guidance as to what procedure is to be carried out. It will be kept with the person’s medication profile.
21.3 At no time must staff make a decision themselves based on the individual’s physical condition or age whether to resuscitate and they should therefore always administer first aid and call the ambulance service as stated above, unless otherwise advised by the doctor in writing. If a person has a Do not resuscitation (DNAR) decision in place this should be recorded in the service user’s file (either by use of a completed DNR sticker or by written directive of the GP if an End of Life Care pathway is in place). In these situations if staff should then find somebody in a collapsed state, they should still contact the GP to inform them and seek advice.
21.4 When there is no guidance and the person concerned is receiving palliative care, staff should still contact the GP for advice.
