Abstract
Doctors and nurses in the UK and US have an over-optimistic view of patients' chances of surviving an attempt at cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If medical staff are to follow the recommendation that they should discuss the pros and cons of CPR with patients and their relatives, they should at least be able to give them realistic expectations of survival; otherwise inappropriate decisions may be made. Resuscitation training programmes should routinely include data on survival from CPR in differing circumstances.
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Contributor Information
Adrian Wagg, Formerly Registrar, Royal London and Newham General Hospitals, London.
Mark Kinirons, Formerly Research Fellow, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville.
Kevin Stewart, Consultant Physician, Newham General Hospital, London.