Witnessing Resuscitation Research Paper

ROYAL COLLEGE OF N URSI NG

Witnessing resuscitation
Guidance for nursing staff

Witnessing resuscitation
Guidance for nursing staff

This publication provides a literature review on witnessing resuscitation and offers guidance to help nursing staff understand the issues and implications for nursing practice.

Acknowledgements
RCN Accident & Emergency Nurses Association Steering Committee and members Members from RCN Forums and Advisory Panels

Comments and support from:
Resuscitation Council (UK) British Association of Accident and Emergency Medicine British Medical Association Medical Ethics Committee Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Patients Association

ROYAL COLLEGE OF N URSI NG

Witnessing resuscitation
The specialist areas that are most likely to be involved are accident and emergency (A&E) departments and critical care. Dealing with the suddenly bereaved can be difficult for all nursing staff, regardless of their experience2. This booklet provides a literature review on witnessing resuscitation and offers guidance to help nursing staff understand the issues and implications for nursing practice. Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Resuscitation Council5. The changing culture of involving patients in the decision-making process of treatment opens up the possibility of discussing resuscitation and if close relatives should be present. A letter from a critical care nurse to the Chair of RCN Council commented that “Resuscitation is not just an event that takes place in A&E departments, it takes place across a wide range of care environments and this must be taken into account. The charged environment of an accident and emergency resuscitation room is very different to the controlled environment of the intensive care area for example”.Resuscitation is also a term used to depict a wide variety of events in the acute care setting, and could be fluid replacement, trauma, respiratory, or cardiac. For the purposes of this guidance the term resuscitation is used to refer to cardiopulmonary resuscitation which can be attempted when cardiac or respiratory functions cease. The
It is a general and ethical principle that valid consent must be obtained on every occasion when a health care professional wishes to initiate treatment or any other intervention, except in emergencies or where the law states otherwise. This principle reflects the rights of patients to determine what happens to their own bodies and is a fundamental part of good practice36. Increasingly the courts are recognising the power of advanced directives or ‘living wills’. These are documents made in advance of a particular condition or situation that may arise, and indicate the individual’s wishes or the choices that they are likely to make if that situation should