In close co-operation with the Swed

In close co-operation with the Swedish Resuscitation Council and the Swedish Society of Nursing, the Swedish Society of Medicine has drawn up new national ethical guidelines on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In particular, these guidelines aim to clarify ethically defensible reasons for not starting CPR, make it clear that do-not-resuscitate orders should be adequately documented, emphasise the importance of involving the patient, but also those that are close to the patient and staff members that care for the patient, in the decision-making process. The guidelines propose three reasons for not starting CPR. The first is when the patient does not want CPR. The second is when the physician judges that CPR will not restore spontaneous circulation and respiratory function. The third is when the physician judges that CPR will not benefit the patient, even though there might be some chance that CPR will restore spontaneous circulation and respiratory function.