What is CPR and DNACPR
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a treatment that can be given when you stop breathing (respiratory arrest) or your heart stops beating (cardiac arrest).
DNACPR stands for do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation. DNACPR is sometimes called DNAR (do not attempt resuscitation) or DNR (do not resuscitate) but they all refer to the same thing. DNACPR means if your heart or breathing stops your healthcare team will not try to restart it.
Talking about CPR and DNACPR
Depending on the healthcare setting and your health, a General Practitioner, hospital doctor or senior nurse may offer to discuss your thoughts on CPR. There is also a more general desire to talk more openly about people’s wishes on where they want to die and their wishes around the last weeks or months of their lives. You might want to learn about this area before starting a conversation about it with a medical, health or social care professional.
*The information used in MyWishes CPR / DNACPR section was kindly provided by TalkCPR
CPR & DNACPR section on MyWishes
MyWishes now includes CPR and DNACPR information to help educate and empower the general public. This section falls within the Advance Care Planning feature. To learn more register for a free account or login to your account.
Once logged in, visit the Advance Care Plan section and navigate to the relevant section. If you do plan to have a conversation with a healthcare professional about your own CPR and DNACPR wishes we recommend first completing an advance care plan. Once completed, it can be emailed or printed and provided to your GP or anyone involved with your care.
Michael Sobell Hospice Palliative Care Department Mount Vernon Hospital, Gate 3 Northwood HA6 2RN United Kingdom (Map)
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Self-empowerment
The best way to ensure that your unique, end of life wishes are adhered to, is to document and discuss them. You are welcome to use MyWishes to assist.
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MyWishes free to use software was developed under the guidance of healthcare, hospice, legal and funeral professionals. Our platform empowers society to make plans for both themselves and those they care about.