Discordance of Patient-Reported and Clinician-Ordered Resuscitation Status in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Context Accurate documentation of preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation at hospital admission is critical to ensure that patients receive resuscitation or not in accordance with their wishes. Objectives We sought to identify and characterize inconsistencies in patient-reported and clinician-ordered resuscitation status in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Methods Southeastern Minnesota residents hospitalized with ADHF were prospectively enrolled into a study that included the administration of face-to-face questionnaires from January 2014 to February 2016. Patient-reported resuscitation status was assessed at enrollment using a validated question. Clinician-ordered resuscitation preferences at hospital admission were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Results Of the 400 patients administered the questionnaire; 213 (53.3%) stated their resuscitation preference as Full Code, 166 (41.5%) do-not-resuscitate (DNR), and 21 (5.3%) were unsure. In comparison, clinician-ordered resuscitation status was Full Code in 263 (65.8%) patients, DNR in 133 (33.3%), and not documented in four (1.0%). Patient-reported and clinician-ordered resuscitation status was discordant in 20% of patients, of whom 5.6% elected Full Code by questionnaire and had a DNR clinician order, and 14.4% elected DNR by questionnaire but had a Full Code clinician order. Differences in age, comorbidities, health literacy, marital status, completion of advance directives, hospital length of stay, and discharge destination in patients with discordant vs. concordant resuscitation preferences were observed. Conclusions Patient-reported and clinician-ordered resuscitation preferences were discordant in 20% of patients hospitalized with ADHF. The underlying etiology of these inconsistencies may reflect factors such as patient indecisiveness or patient-clinician miscommunication and requires further exploration.