Table 1.
—Requirements for Using Critical Care Codes for Family Discussions14
| 1. Prerequisites |
| a. Physician is near patient room or on the unit so that the physician is immediately available to patient. |
| b. Patient is unable or lacks capacity to participate in medical decision making, and the family discussion is necessary for determining treatments. |
| c. Patient has organ failure. |
| 2. Documentation |
| a. Patient is unable or lacks capacity to make medical decisions. |
| b. The necessity to have the discussion (i.e. patient deteriorating and need for discussion of treatment options with family). |
| c. Medically necessary treatment decisions for which the discussion was needed (i.e. continuing vs withdrawing mechanical ventilation, initiation of vasoactive medications, institution of artificial nutrition and hydration, do-not-resuscitate order). |
| d. Time spent in preparation for and during family meeting discussing treatment options and goals of care. Do not include time providing grief or bereavement support. |