Checklist-Guided Code Status Discussions in Patients for Whom Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Is Considered Futile

Does a structured communication approach have an effect on code status discussions in patients in whom an attempt at cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is considered futile?In this randomized clinical trial of 177 patients in whom CPR is deemed futile, a checklist-guided code status discussion had no effect on code status decisions but significantly reduced patients’ preference for intensive care treatment, and physicians reported these discussions as less challenging.These results suggest that a structured communication approach may improve quality of code status discussions in patients for whom CPR attempts are considered futile.

Corresponding Author: Sabina Hunziker, MD, MPH, Division of Medical Communication/Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 23, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland (sabina.hunziker@usb.ch).

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